Here is one thing you cannot deny: The Audi A1 was designed and built to give the Mini Cooper a good run for its money...
When the current Mini Cooper came onto the scene - under parent company BMW no less - it struck a chord with its lovely exterior and cheerful interior. With sound build quality and an eager engine mated to a slick-shifting manual transmission or convenient self-cogger, the Mini had the ingredients to become a volume seller - which it did with success. Well after a decade in the market, the sheer number still running on the roads (and more being delivered to new owners), surely denotes its popularity.
The popularity of Mini has also sparked a trend in lifestyle hatches, which explains why other brands decided to go, “Oh wow, that might work!” and followed suit only years after the Mini. So along came an onslaught of premium hatchbacks like the Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo MiTo and even the Citroen DS3. In all honesty, neither could reach the level of success the Mini has achieved. The fact that you can personalize it as much as you can like Lego ensures your Mini won’t look exactly the same as the one that pops up next to you at the red light.
When the current Mini Cooper came onto the scene - under parent company BMW no less - it struck a chord with its lovely exterior and cheerful interior. With sound build quality and an eager engine mated to a slick-shifting manual transmission or convenient self-cogger, the Mini had the ingredients to become a volume seller - which it did with success. Well after a decade in the market, the sheer number still running on the roads (and more being delivered to new owners), surely denotes its popularity.
The popularity of Mini has also sparked a trend in lifestyle hatches, which explains why other brands decided to go, “Oh wow, that might work!” and followed suit only years after the Mini. So along came an onslaught of premium hatchbacks like the Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo MiTo and even the Citroen DS3. In all honesty, neither could reach the level of success the Mini has achieved. The fact that you can personalize it as much as you can like Lego ensures your Mini won’t look exactly the same as the one that pops up next to you at the red light.
So now it’s Audi’s turn to capture a slice of this niche-but-popular (ironic, I know) segment. To begin with, the elements are all too similar – three doors, chic exterior, stylish and sensible interior (boot space not a priority though) and a whole entire list of customization options. Interesting...
To read more, click Audi A1.