Out of the thin German ether appears official photos and information on the 2011 Audi A1, a vehicle that’s been teased more than C.C. DeVille’s hair on the cover of Poison’s kick-ass album,

Look What the Cat Dragged In . Besides the

concept from 2007 and the concept from 2008, the Four Ringers have doled out bits of information via an

. Now, finally, we know the whole deal.

The A1 is based in large part on the PQ25 platform, which also underpins the latest

, and will play in the hotly contested—in Europe, anyway—B-segment. It’s a segment Audi largely abandoned when it ended production of the ungainly A2 some five years ago, and it’s a decision the company has regretted since, especially given automakers’ pressing need to meet tightening efficiency standards in Europe and elsewhere.

Two Gas Engines, One Diesel in Two Strengths

Audi touts the A1 engine lineup as a prime example of its , which emphasizes forced induction over larger displacement. The powerplants include two gasoline engines and two diesels, all turbocharged. The petrol-burners include a new 1.2-liter four-cylinder good for 86 hp and 118 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 1.4-liter four that produces 122 hp and 148 lb-ft. The two turbo-diesel engines are really just one, a 1.6-liter, but in two strengths: 90 hp/170 lb-ft and 105 hp/184 lb-ft. Diesel models and the 1.2-liter A1 will use a five-speed manual exclusively, but 1.4-liter buyers will get a six-speed stick as standard with the option of stepping up to a seven-speed double-clutch S tronic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddles. The A1 is strictly front-drive only—no Quattro.

The quickest setup is the 1.4-liter mated to the S tronic box, which Audi says propels the A1 to 62 mph in 9.1 seconds. The 1.2-liter gets to 62 in 12.1 seconds, while the diesels can accomplish the task in 10.8 seconds (105 hp) and 12.2 seconds (90 hp). None of those times are particularly fast, nor are they well-suited to American tastes, but Volkswagen’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo would likely fit under the hood and would be nice as a U.S.-market powerplant—or the basis for a 200-plus-hp S1 model.

If the performance figures are underwhelming, perhaps the fuel-economy numbers will stir your soul. (God help you if they do.) On the European cycle, which is less strict than the EPA test used in the U.S., the A1 will return anywhere from 44 to 62 mpg, the former being posted by the S tronic–equipped 1.4-liter and the latter by the weaker diesel. It’s worth noting that the 105-hp diesel still returns 60 mpg. An engine stop/start system and alternator-based brake-energy regeneration pitch in to aid efficiency on all models.

Bold Styling for Such a Little Guy The styling is unmistakably up-to-the-minute Audi, with the cut-cornered single-frame grille that debuted on the new A8 flagship appearing here, too. The brand’s characteristic LED lighting appears too, as an option, in the taillamps and in the daytime running lamps integrated into the headlight housings. The contrasting arch that runs up the A-pillar and frames the side windows before terminating at the bottom of the C-pillar carries over from the Metroproject concept, as does the fast rear glass, which reminds us of the Fiat 500 when viewed in profile. The contrasting arch, Audi says, will be optional and available in one of four colors. (The late, unlamented Saturn Ion offered a similar option, but we have faith that Audi’s taste level is such that one of the colors won’t be ‘leopard print,’ as it was on the old GM heap.) Xenon lights will cost extra—getting them adds the LEDs front and rear—and 18-inch wheels will be available as an accessory.

As to size, the A1 measurements are comparable to those of what are sure to be its chief targets, the BMW-engineered Mini Cooper and Clubman; the Audi is as long (155.5 inches) as a Clubman but rides on a wheelbase (97.2) nearly identical to the three-door Cooper’s. Height (55.9 inches) is also a wash among all three models. Where the A1 differs most is in width—at 68.5 inches, it’s two inches wider than the Minis.

Inside, the cabin looks as if it will uphold well the Audi tradition of beautiful craftsmanship and interesting design. An LED lighting package can be ordered to up the tech factor, which is already high with the availability of an SDHC card reader, iPod integration, and an MMI navigation package that includes 20 gigs of music storage and Bluetooth connectivity. As on larger Audis, MMI-equipped A1s will have a knob that controls the infotainment functions. Two trim levels are on offer: Attraction and Ambition. The A1 Attraction is the base model, with 15-inch wheels, keyless entry, power mirrors and windows, and stability control. The Ambition adds sport seats, aluminum-look trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and it can also be outfitted with an S-line package that nabs a Sport suspension, 16- or 17-inch wheels, and even sportier seats. A few of the items on the A1’s options list looks like they were ganked from the A8, stuff like automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof, keyless go, and heated side mirrors. Cruise control, heated seats, parking sensors, a 465-watt Bose stereo, and automatic climate control will be available, too.

The A1 will go on sale in Europe this summer as a three-door hatchback; a five-door is scheduled to join the lineup in 2011. The base price, Audi says, will be around €16,000, or roughly $22,000. There’s no word yet as to whether the A1 will be coming stateside, but Audi has left the door open during previous conversations. Could this little Audi work in the U.S.? We’re not sure, but with the Mini Cooper’s success and the Fiat 500 on the way, now would be a great time to find out.

Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/10q1/2011_audi_a1-official_photos_and_info