Audi to Show Seven Customized A1 Models at Wörthersee

This year's edition of the Wörthersee GTI Tour that takes place in Reifnitz, Austria, on May 12 will see Audi showcasing seven custom versions of its new A1 premium supermini, including a model sporting an "FC Bayern" look, taxi and police variants.

The other four custom A1s are a "Hot Rod" version with a matt-finish look, steel wheels with white-wall tires and extremely low ride height thanks to the air suspension, one fitted with a "competition kit" that pays homage to Audi rally vehicles from the 1980s, the "Wasserwacht" model that's dedicated to the local water rescue service and a "Fashion" edition.

"The Audi A1 fits in with the GTI meet because customization has always been a central topic for the Audi fans here at the Wörthersee and will also play a special role for A1 customers," says the Head of Audi Design, Stefan Sielaff, who was responsible for the creation of the special edition models.

The seven special A1s will be joined at Audi's Woorthersee stand by an array of models including the new Audi R8 GT, an Ice Silver A8, the facelifted TT Roadster and the TT Coupé and the new RS5 Coupe.

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Audi Confirms 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster Facelift for Leipzig

As anticipated, Audi came out with an official press release on its AMI motor show offerings that include the world premiere of the redesigned 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster. The German automaker did not reveal any specific details about the facelift models.

Other highlights at the show, which runs from from April 9-18, include the German premieres of the new A1 premium supermini, the A8 limo and the RS5 Coupé, the e-tron concept and the car that won the 2009 DTM (German Touring Car Masters).

*Current Audi TT Coupe Pictured Above

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Audi Planning the Return of the A2 with an All-Electric Model

It really all comes down to simple arithmetic. Audi wants to add another subcompact model to its range. It already has the A1 supermini and the A3 compact hatch, so if you subtract 1 from 3, you get 2. Add an 'A' up front and voila; you have the return of the A2 nameplate.

"There's clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told journalists on the sidelines of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

In a separate interview, Michael Dick, Audi's board member for technology, added that the firm's decision to add electric variants to the range will play a vital role with the next-generation A2 "in the near future."

According to reports, the new A2 will have unique styling and an electric powertrain. At the Geneva Salon, Audi showed the A1 e-tron Concept Study that used a 102HP electric motor to drive the front wheels with a 254cc single-rotor Wankel engine kicking in to charge the lithium-ion batteries when depleted.

And even though some might say that Audi's decision to use the A2 name doesn't necessarily mean that the new model will follow in the lines of its commercially unsuccessful predecessor (only 176,377 units were sold between 1999 and 2005), considering the fact that a five-door version of the A1 has already been approved, an MPV-style five-door hatchback sounds like the most logical solution.

An aluminum construction is a different story altogether and we'll have to wait and see if Audi plans to re-introduce the ASF (Audi Space Frame) concept to a smaller model like the A2.

Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)

Audi A2 Gallery (1995 - 2005)

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