Barely a year after its officialization, the second generation of the Audi A1 is enriched with a new variant called “Citycarver”. With a distinct look, it will be officially launched next fall.

At this moment, nothing seems to stop Audi, which abounds with novelties since the beginning of the year, between the new S8, SQ7 and other Q3 Sportback. From now on, the brand with the rings gratifies us of a new arrival within the range, which this time is not a sporting version but a more adventurous declination of the small A1, revealed last year at the Mondial de Paris. Called Citycarver, it adopts a brand new philosophy very much in tune with the current trend, by adorning itself with a costume of adventurer of the cities, which however holds more disguise than a true new personality.

It must be said that it is especially on the look that puts this new Audi Q1 Citycarver, which obviously inherits all the attributes of the perfect small urban crossover. Plastic side guards, decorative aluminum insert under the shield and new grille, everything is (almost) illusion. Yes but here, with a ground clearance that is contented to be enhanced by only 4 inches, so say that the city is not likely to venture far. But it should at least have the merit of being able to seduce the Parisian, a little like the Q2 launched in 2016. Big disappointment on the other hand in the cockpit, which has not benefited from any evolution, even minimal, on this declination . So we find a presentation identical to the standard version, with the touch screen of 10.1 inches on the most high-end versions, associated with a digital handset.

If nothing has been officially announced about the engines that will hide under the hood of the city, all suggests that the range will be identical to that currently proposed on the standard version. We should therefore find gasoline TFSI blocks whose powers are between 95 and 150 horses, associated with manual boxes with five and six reports as well as an S Tronic transmission. The city car will also be content with only two driving wheels, hence the name Citycarver and not Allroad. It will, however, benefit from an optional Dynamic Performance Pack, including a driving mode selector, adaptive suspension, sound generator, red brake calipers and 18-inch wheels. Finally, the Audi Drive Select can be chosen separately from the pack.

Available to order in August, the new Audi A1 Citycarver will be officially launched in concessions next autumn. A launch version will be available, including a gray or orange body, 18-inch wheels, black exterior details and an interior presentation based on the S Line finish. Without a doubt present at the next Frankfurt show, which will open in September, the city should also announce its rates.