Beetle

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
Hatchback

We've seen plenty of compacts putting on weight lately, so it's not surprising to find that the new Audi A1, currently the smallest car in the Audi fleet, will be continuing the trend. As the current model reaches the end of its lifecycle, Audi is preparing its successor, which will be longer and wider according to Autocar. This means the larger A1 will be more luxurious than its predecessor, offering more leg room and increased boot size, while passengers will benefit from the increased head room gained from the longer roofline.

The added weight, of course, means that the chunkier 2018 A1 is unlikely to be lighter than the current car, which weighs in at 1035 kg based on the entry-level. The 2018 A1 will be underpinned by the MQB A0 platform, which will add improved structural rigidity compared to the current model thanks to its hybrid construction first used in the A8 flagship last decade, combining hot-formed steel and aluminum. Visually, the next generation Audi A1 will resemble a smaller version of its A3 sibling, with similarly shaped lights on both ends of the car. The interior, on the other hand, will benefit from a host of technological upgrades to bring it more in-line with the manufacturer's current offerings.

These include Virutal Cockpit technology incorporating a 12.3 inch display, a Wi-Fi hotspot and smartphone integration. The entry model is rumored to use a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine likely to have more power than the 94-horsepower offered in the current model. 1.4-liter gas and 1.6-liter diesel turbocharged units are also expected to be tweaked for the upcoming model. A hybrid model could also join the range, while the range-topping S1 performance model will follow with four-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing around 250 horsepower. Production is expected to start in 2018 at Seat's Martorell plant in Spain.