Audi A1

In direct contrast to the reports published in February, it now appears as those Audi has given the compact A1’s North American debut the green light. Initially, Audi expressed doubts over the success of a mini-sized car with a full-sized price tag, but a rather dramatic shift in the market has apparently quelled those fears. Now, sources are claiming that the Audi A1 will be washing up on U.S. shores as early as 2011, just in time to take on both an expanding MINI Cooper line and its sister, the impending BMW 0 Series.

Accordingly, the A1 will be offered in both 3- and 5-door body styles, with an A1 SUV rumored as a possible later entrant to compete with the MINI Crossover. Specifics regarding the powertrain are also similarly sparse but if the MINI is indeed the A1’s target we expect power to be comparable.