New PreProduction Minifighter the Audi Metro A1

After a year since the release of the A1 Metro concept in Tokyo, Audi now has the preprodution model unveiled during the Paris motorshow now known as the A1 Sportback. It has a 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI twincharge -(super/turbocharged) petrol engine driving the front wheels through a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox and a 27bhp electric motor which supplements or takes over from the engine when necessary.

0-62 time of 7.9 seconds and a 124mph topspeed. Audi is saying it can get upto 72.4mpgwith the 1.4 litre engine. Other features include a magnetic suspension like on the RS4, R8 and new TT models and Drive Select, which provides efficiency and sport modes for the drivetrain, suspension and gearchanges, and a system to be used as a navigation system or audio/video player which allow suitably-equipped mobile phones to act as a GPS unit.

Still considered an AWD subcompact actual road performance has yet to be determined and I'm sure Topgear and FifthGear will be all over this one. With the competition being the Suzuki Swift Sport, Mini Cooper, Renault Clio sub hot eco hatches are sure to be the rage within the next couple of years.