2010 Audi A1 And 2011 A8 Motor Show Debut Delayed

AUDI'S GROWING LINE-UP is expected to be joined by the A1 minicar and the new A8 flagship before the end of 2009.

And while that target is still on track, reports out of Europe suggest that both new cars will miss their intended debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Despite the absence of the highly anticipated all-new A1 and the next-generation A8, Audi is expected to build its presentation around the upcoming A5 Sportback.

That won't be the first time we see the sleek new A5 variant, though, as Audi is expected to give the car its proper debut next week, on July 16, at the company's centenary celebration in Germany.

A showroom debut date for the Audi A1 has yet to be announced, but CEO Rupert Stadler has confirmed previously that the next-generation A8 will be unveiled in November, with a market debut in the second half of 2010.

The A1 is expected to be offered as a front-wheel-drive model in standard form, although all-wheel-drive quattro performance models are expected as well, mated to Volkswagen’s new seven-speed DSG transmission.

Power will likely come from existing Volkswagen TSI and TDI engines, ranging from 1.4 litre to 2.0 litre capacities.  With the hybrid sensibilities of both the Metroproject and Sportback A1 concepts, a similar option for the production A1 could be offered.