Audi looks set to increase the number of Allroad models it sells with its smallest offering, the A1 Allroad, which was caught testing under camouflage around the Arctic Circle. The car in the photos is definitely an A1, but it has a raised ground clearance and what looks like plastic cladding around the lower part of its body.
It will be based on the second generation A1 and what Audi has chosen to hide with camo are a different front grille and bumper, as well as the rear bumper. Based on how much camouflage is on the car, it looks like Audi will change the fenders, the bumpers, the side sills, and the grille too. Ride height will also be increased, and it will probably be sold with wheel designs unique to the Allroad model. Badging will also probably adorn its front fenders and rear hatch, just like it does on all current Allroad models.
Audi probably won’t change a lot inside the A1 to make it an Allroad, although it may feature either “Allroad” or at least “Quattro” badging somewhere visible on the dashboard fascia. The rest will be standard new A1 fare, which means it will come with a grown-up, high-quality interior which ditches the circular air vents of the previous model in favour of rectangular ones. Infotainment is now handled by a screen embedded in the centre console, not sitting on top of it and overall the interior is larger thanks to an increased wheelbase.
Audi doesn’t offer its Allroad models with any of the lower powered engines, and this will probably be the case with the A1 Allroad as well. It may, therefore, ditch the base 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine and only be offered with the largest powerplant, a 2.0-litre with 197 horsepower.
It could also come with the mid-range 148-horsepower 1.5-litre, and both manual and automatic transmissions are possible, but it will most likely only be offered as a self-shifter. The A1 Allroad will also definitely have a Haldex-based Quattro all-wheel drive – the S1 hot hatch will get it too, so we know the platform supports it.
With all-wheel drive and the 198-horsepower engine, it should be able to accelerate from naught to 100 km/h in around (maybe under) seven seconds. In its native Germany, the A1 Allroad will probably cost a bit more than a well-equipped regular A1 with the same drivetrain combo which would set you back over 30 000 Euros.
No comment yet, add your voice below!