Damien Hirst one of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists specially spin painted an Audi A1 to be auctioned at Sir Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball last week. Audi’s new premium compact hatchback was the star of the event fetching the impressive mark of £350,000.

Sir Elton John’s Ball was held at his home in Windsor, UK, which received 700 VIP guests from around the world who came to support his largest annual fundraiser for his AIDS Foundation.

The Elton John’s AIDS Foundation manages over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries supporting thousands of men, women and children with life saving medication, as well as information, nutrition, education, shelter and support. For more information visit: www.ejaf.com.

Without a doubt the most anticipated of these three vehicles is the Audi R4, set to be the Audi R8 younger brother the Audi R4 will be positioned below the Audi TT. Like the Audi TT and the R8, the R4 will have coupe and roadster (Spyder) versions with engines ranging from an 180bhp 1.4 TFSI to a 170bhp 2.0 TDI. Pricing is yet to be officially announced but rumours are that the Audi R4 will be priced around £20.000 and the coolest featured so far will be the programmable navigation system from your iPhone.

The Audi A2 is returning to the Audi range and talks are that will be powered by an electric motor only. Features will include multimedia solutions like in the Audi A1, navigation system on par with Audi A8, like the Audi R4 the A2 is set to arrive in 2013.

Also in the works is a more sportive version of the Audi A1, the Audi S1. Will the Audi RS1 follow suit? We’ll have to wait and see. Unlike the Audi A2, no electric version has been announced for the A1 but a hybrid version will soon be available, also in the works are a Sportback and a convertible Audi A1.

To sum things Audi also announced that the Audi TT next generation is coming in 2014.

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Followers of the eagerly anticipated Audi A1 compact hatchback are now free to explore miniaturised 3D ‘virtual’ versions of the car in near ‘photo real’ quality in Audi Centres across the country, and even at home, long before the first full size cars hit showrooms.

Bringing to life the next best thing to the ‘physical’ A1, the first examples of which will reach the UK in the autumn, the innovative ‘Augmented Reality’ web-based recognition technology enables customers to interact with a 3D ‘photo-real’ version of the car. Users simply hold up a special ‘MagicSymbol’ printed in the A1 brochure or downloadable from the internet, and the technology recognises this and merges an A1 model into real footage in real-time. The technology has been developed by interactive 3D content specialist Inition, and is delivered via touch screen installations positioned in every Audi Centre.

The campaign is supported by an online version which enables users to download the application at home, print out the ‘MagicSymbol’ and use a webcam to interact with the A1. Users can rotate the car, expand or contract it, roll it forwards and backwards and pan right into the interior by simply moving the magic symbol pad in relation to the web cam.

The technology will enable customers to get a real ‘feel’ for the A1, which has been designed to deliver all that the Vorsprung durch Technik brand stands for in a concentrated form. The more compact and city-friendly three-door premium hatchback benefits from the same world renowned quality standards, sophisticated design details and leading edge technological advances found throughout the Audi range. SE, Sport and S line versions became available for UK order on May 6 priced at between £13,145 OTR and £18,280 OTR, and the first examples will reach Audi Centres in October.

Inside, as out, the look and feel of the A1 uses larger Audi models as a template, and it also employs much of their on-board technology. This includes the latest, ultra-efficient TDI and TFSI engines backed up by start-stop and recuperation systems, state-of-the-art ESP with a new electronic differential lock and convenience features such as the optional Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system.

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The Audi A1 becomes available to order today (May 6) with a UK specification that further emphasises the fact that its more diminutive dimensions are its only half measure. Priced at between £13,145 OTR and £18,280 OTR, the latest, more concentrated embodiment of Vorsprung durch Technik combines the trappings that befit a premium sector hatchback with the technological sophistication and quality of finish that mark out every Audi.

Features common to the SE, Sport and S line options available for UK A1 models will include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display.

Sport model additions include larger diameter wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver’s Information System, while S line versions upgrade with extras such as an exclusive S line exterior treatment including larger 17-inch alloy wheels, S line sports suspension and leather and cloth combination upholstery.

In the initial launch phase the generous specification is combined with three ultra-efficient TDI and TFSI engines, all of which compensate very effectively for their relatively small displacements with the latest turbo charger technology, and benefit from engine start-stop and recuperation systems.

The new 1.2 TFSI petrol engine linked exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission kicks off the range, its 86PS and 160Nm peak power and torque outputs enabling a 0-62mph time of 11.7 seconds and a 112mph top speed, delivered with 55.4mpg capability and low CO2 of 118g/km*.

S tronic twin-clutch transmission also for A1
The more familiar 1.4 TFSI power unit is next in line, and delivers its 122PS and 200Nm via the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Equipped with S tronic it takes the A1 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds, and on to 126mph where conditions allow, and in this form comes impressively close to matching its smaller counterpart on economy and emissions, delivering up to 54.3mpg with CO2 output of 119g/km*.

The 105PS 1.6-litre diesel is the third engine option, and via a five-speed manual gearbox uses its impressive 250Nm torque output to power the A1 to 62mph in 10.5 seconds and on to a 118mph top speed, while retaining the potential to achieve 70.6mpg economy with emissions of 105g/km*.

Latest generation ESP with electronic differential
All engine options are backed up by the latest generation ESP system with electronic differential, which initiates brief, controlled braking of the inside front wheel while cornering and transfers the excess torque to the outside wheel, which can apply more power to the road. This helps to further boost the impressive handling agility and neutrality delivered by the sophisticated front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension by minimising understeer and improving traction.

Xenon headlamps with trademark LED daytime running lights will be available at extra cost exclusively for S line models, but all versions will offer the option to upgrade with premium segment specification enhancements such as a BOSE sound system including LED-lit woofers, DAB radio, the Audi Music Interface for iPod connection, cruise and parking distance controls and the Multi Media Interface (MMI) navigation plus system. Based on the system used by the latest Audi A8, MMI navigation plus incorporates a 60 gigabyte hard drive, 20 gigabytes of which can be devoted to music files.

The A1 will also offer a choice of equipment packages, as well as numerous customisation options for both exterior and interior using an array of colours, materials and equipment options designed to make each car feel as unique and personal as possible.

* Preliminary figures

Audi A1 The Key is Individuality

Audi A1 Automotive Plant Teaser

Audi A1 Online Reveal

Audi A1 Test Drive with FC Bayer Munich Stars

Audi A1 The Countdown has Begun

We hope you enjoyed our Audi A1 Video Special and don’t forget that the official worldwide launch of the “Next Big Audi” will be during the Geneva Auto Show that begins on the 4th of March 2010 and we’ll be there to bring you exclusive details.

Audi A1: The Future Taking Shape

Audi A1: We Light UP the Dark

Audi A1: Designing the Roof Line and Roof

Audi A1: Quality Knows no Compromise

The Audi A1 Shows its Colours

This is it for the first part of our Audi A1 Video Special. Make sure you don’t miss the second part of this superb video special of the “next Big Audi” by checking our blog tomorrow.

With a broad portfolio of top notch technology only seen on high-end Audis, a design full of character, its infotainment system that sets new standards in the class, all of Audi’s highly efficient fuel saving technologies and its agile chassis it is easy to standard why the Auto industry already labelled the A1 the sportiest in its segment.

Well they say a picture is worth more than thousand words so we prepared an exclusive picture special for you to enjoy every detail of the next “big Audi”.

Hope you enjoyed it, please share your thoughts on our comments section and don’t miss tomorrow’s post when we will bring a video special of the Audi A1.

Here at Audi Nationwide, we’ve been thinking backwards, and looking for features of the Audi A1 that are not exclusive to the Audi A1 but, in actual fact, personify all Audi models – as not to detract from the underlying excellence that characterizes an Audi vehicle.

Whether the untraditionally non-premium compact class, to the upper echelons of motorsport prestige (that means you, Audi R8) – one thing remains the same with all models: a simple commitment to delivering a premium product.

But what makes a premium product nowadays? The word ‘premium’ gets thrown about so often that its rapidly losing its meaning. The notion of premium is simply being lost to wishful thinkers, of whom, so desperately want you to think of them as being premium. But ultimately disappoints when you discover that underneath the fancy packaging and brand essences, lies the clank of “cost effective” materials.

No – with Audi, the sense of class is not an empty promise. As any Audi enthusiast will profess; owning an Audi is more than just aesthetics – sure, the car is made to look contemporary and stylish, but what really makes every Audi full of character, is its interiors. From the selection of materials used, the way the panels are have curvaceous, even gaps and softly backed with foam. The way all buttons and controls move with crisp precision. Every touch point of an Audi vehicle is designed with aesthetics, ergonomics and sensory experience in mind – which add up to an experience that’s unique to Audi vehicles.

As excited as we are about the Audi A1, in many ways, is simply another example of Audi’s ability to deliver what it promises: uncompromising quality.

And we leave you with another innovative Audi A1 Video:

For the Audi A1, perhaps the most distinctive and personality-infused design element is its daringly sporty shoulders. When looking at the Audi A1 head on, the designers have imbued a sense of masculinity, by making its ‘shoulders’ unusually broad and dramatic – giving it a tough stance.

From side-on, the shoulder-lines are more pronounced that your average: with a sharp line that starts from above the front end strips and along the sides as far as the rear lights – the line gracefully arched and completely unbroken. Like a painting’s vanishing point, this line keeps the designs composition together; the central element to which other elements are drawn in. Rather than a conventional car design, where the front end, sides and tail are pulled together by separate lines and shapes. Here, the designers aimed to create what they described as “one complete unit… the whole car is a single sculpture”.

As for the roof – with its curved design that runs sharply from the A-post to the tail – is another element that defies conventional design.

The wind-shield is more upright, while the rear-window has been given noticeably less rake, making it look fast and giving the impression of dramatic forward momentum – even when stationary.

An exciting prospect is Audi’s claims that customers will be able to order the roof in a variety of colours (whatever the car’s main body colour). Well… an exciting prospect if you’re looking to mix black with gunmetal grey. Perhaps not so good if you’re duped into getting a baby blue / sage red combo!

We leave you with a video from Ivo van Hulten, interior designer of the Audi A1.

Speaking to Car Magazine, one of the biggest automotive publications in the UK, Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing confirmed more intel on the Audi A1 model range.

With regards to the design there will be no substantial changes to initial concept,

Metroproject Quattro and A1 Sportback.

Mr. Schwarzenbauer also admitted that Audi has plans for a complete line of Audi A1 variants, in his own words: “We will start with the three-door version with several different engine variants,”

This leads us to the conclusion that will see a three-door A1 hatchback (based on the 2007 Metroproject concept) first. After will come a five-door Audi A1 Sportback, then an Audi A1 Cabriolet or maybe an Audi S1 and finally, an Audi A1 Avant or SUV based model. Audi Q1 anyone?

Officially confirmed for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March, our continental fellows will have the pleasure to drive it first as sales starts next summer, while we’ll have to wait till September to get our hand on an Audi A1.

The Audi A1 resembles a clear intent of Audi tackling the smaller-sized premium sector and by what we have seen so far, it is highly capable of doing so. UK prices should be around 11,000.