Art + Audi

Audi A1

Audi A1

Don't you love when a photographer has an appreciation for Audi in all its beauty and glory?

I was browsing through Flickr this weekend and came across these stunning photos of the 2011 Audi A1 posted by NRMA Drivers Seat.

AUDI’S 100,000TH A1 ROLLS OFF THE LINE IN BRUSSELS

AUDI’S 100,000TH A1 ROLLS OFF THE LINE IN BRUSSELS

AUDI AG has been producing the Audi A1 in Brussels for nearly one year. The 100,000th car has now rolled off the assembly line. To mark the occasion, King Albert II of Belgium visited the site in the Forest district of Brussels. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Gerhard Schneider, General Director for Technology and Logistics and management spokesman of Audi Brussels, led the King through the tradition-steeped plant, which Audi acquired and restructured four years ago. In addition, Benoît Cerexhe, Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for the Economy, Employment, Scientific Research and Foreign Trade, officially opened the visitor’s route through the A1 production facility.

“We are very honored that the King of Belgium has taken such a great interest in Audi and that he has visited our plant,” says Rupert Stadler. “The Forest site has been part of the Audi family – and the Company’s success story – for four years now. With the Audi A1, Audi Brussels is making a major contribution to the dynamic growth of our brand.”

Audi has invested roughly €300 million to bring the plant up to the state of the art since its acquisition in 2007. “We invested heavily over the last four years, including in an ultra-modern body shop, in an assembly plant oriented on ergonomics and efficiency and in the continuing education of our employees,” says Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Board of Administration of AUDI BRUSSELS S.A./N.V. “All of that supports our claim of top product quality and makes Audi fit for the future.”

When restructuring the plant, Audi also devoted particular attention to ergonomic workplaces and optimal working conditions. “We take the well-being of our employees to heart. You can only produce high-quality products if you have a motivated and satisfied team,” says Gerhard Schneider, General Director for Technology and Logistics and management spokesman of Audi Brussels. The comprehensive modernization measures include a new company restaurant and a new health care facility where the employees can go for the Audi Checkup, a special preventive care program available to all staff members.

AUDI A1

AUDI A1

A1 1.6 TDI falls even further from this week as an even more fuel efficient version of the frugal premium sub-compact hatchback shrugs off road tax and the London congestion charge through a lower 99g/km CO2 output. Improved 74.3mpg economy potential, and unchanged OTR prices for the SE, Sport and S line models ranging from £14,480 to £17,865, also help to make the thriftiest A1 an even more desirable proposition.

Further optimisation of the fuel system and engine management unit has reduced the CO2 output of the A1 1.6 TDI from 105g/km to 99g/km, and boosted its official combined economy figure from 70.6mpg to 74.3mpg. As before, the achievement of these outstanding figures is aided by engine start-stop and energy recuperation systems.

The performance delivered by the turbo charged and directly injected common rail unit also remains as keen as ever. The A1 1.6 TDI with five-speed manual transmission sprints from rest to 62mph in 10.5 seconds, and where conditions allow can reach a top speed of 118mph.

The advantage held by the revised 1.6 TDI won’t only be felt at the filling station. With CO2 dipping below the 100g/km mark it is exempt from the London congestion charge, and also from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) from year 2 onwards as the duty bandings currently stand. The majority of A1 models, including the 1.6 TDI, are already duty-free in the first year of ownership.

The A1 1.6 TDI with 99g output can be ordered in all three UK A1 trim levels – SE, Sport and S line. Features common to all include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display.