Exterior and Concept

Five centimeters (2.0 in) higher: concept and exterior design

With a length of 4046 millimeters (159.3 in) and a width of 1,756 millimeters (69.1 in), the Audi A1 citycarver has almost the same dimensions as the A1 Sportback. However, it is five centimeters (2.0 in) taller than the Sportback, measuring 1,459 millimeters (57.4 in) in height, which makes it easier to get in and provides an even better overview. Roughly 35 millimeters (1.4 in) of its increase in height are due to the revised suspension, which has a larger jounce travel. The rest is due to the fact that its wheels are larger than those of the A1 Sportback. 16-inch wheels come as standard even with the entry-level engine variant. This gives the A1 citycarver 144 millimeters (5.7 in) of ground clearance between the axles—41 millimeters (1.6 in) more than the A1 Sportback.

The A1 citycarver also shares the taut exterior design with the broad track and short overhangs with its sister model. The powerful, slightly slanting C-pillar appears to accelerate the car even at a standstill and all the lines on the sides rise in a wedge shape toward the rear. The shoulder line creates strong contours above the wheels and continues at a slightly lower level on the doors, visually drawing down the center of gravity. At the front and the strongly modeled rear, the arrow-shaped layout of the light graphics (with the optional LED headlights) emphasizes the width of the body. Large air inlets and outlets underline the vehicle’s sporty character.

The large, octagonal Singleframe is reminiscent of the Audi Q models. It gets by without a frame, and its intensely sculpted honeycomb is painted in matt black. There are two distinctive slots above the grille—a small nod to the Sport quattro, a true Audi icon. The underbody protection at the front and the diffuser insert at the rear are painted with glossy stainless steel paint, the wheel arches and distinctive side sills sport attachments in Manhattan gray or Mythos black. A large S line roof edge spoiler extends the roof line, and the rear bumpers take up the powerful look of the front apron.

Individual look: paint colors and packages

The paint fan for the Audi A1 citycarver offers a choice of nine colors: Cortina white, Firmament blue, Glacier white, Misano red, Mythos black, Arrow gray, Pulse orange, Python yellow and Tioman green. On request, Audi will paint the roof, from the A-pillar to the roof edge spoiler, in the contrasting colors Mythos black or Manhattan gray. The exterior mirror housings and the side sills are available in the same contrasting colors as part of equipment packages. In the black styling package, a further optional equipment item, the frames of the lateral air inlets, the underbody protection and the diffuser insert are painted in a deep black.

Light and stiff: the body

The Audi A1 citycarver with the entry-level engine variant weighs just 1,130 kilograms (2,491.2 lb) (excluding the driver). Large parts made of hot-formed steel form the backbone of the passenger cell. This ultra-high-strength composite, which comprises 27 percent of the body-in-white, provides for a high level of passive safety and torsional rigidity. It thereby lays the foundation for the sporty handling precision, the uncompromising manufacturing quality and the absence of interfering noise on board.