After news that no Volkswagen Polo R will be developed in order to favour the new Audi S1 and a Volkswagen Jetta R model, we also learn that the S1 will have front wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive in a move likely to anger purist Audi fans. While the Audi S1 will be equipped with a 1.4 TFSI engine and 180 hp, the front-wheel drive option should keep prices down; although we reported yesterday that we could be looking at starting prices of about 29,000 euros for the S1.
In the meantime, the new Audi A2 is planned to be an ‘electric only’ model when it’s launched in 2012. The company is preparing itself to compete against the new BMW Megacity model which will be available only the following year in 2013. The Audi A1 and A2 will share some components, including the steel monocoque structure which will replace the expensive spaceframe from the original A2.
We had originally thought that the BMW Megacity (still under development) would be a showdown with the A1, but it’s clear Audi is preparing the A2 as the true competitor from the drivetrain point of view. Depending on style, although the A2 is set to follow the previous model, it won’t be until the BMW Megacity emerges that we can really start to check out the competitors.
Source | World Car Fans and Autocar