THE 2011 AUDI A1 is expected to be offered without a quattro all-wheel-drive option, despite its inspiration - the Metroproject quattro Concept - featuring the technology.

According to reports out of Germany, the additional weight and cost of an AWD system would work against the A1’s purpose as an entry-level model, prompting Audi to leave it out.

A report by German website Autobild suggests that, along with the absence of Audi’s quattro system, the A1 will be offered with only a seven-speed S-tronic automatic transmission.

According to Autobild, the A1 will go on sale in Europe around August next year, followed by a sportback version in late 2011 and a cabriolet in 2012.

A performance-oriented S1 is expected in 2011, powered by a highly tuned version of the company’s 1.4 litre TFSI petrol engine, producing around 120kW.