Credit where credit is due because the new Audi A1 Citycarver is an attractive little unit.
Sitting 40mm higher than the A1 Sportback on which it is based, Citcarver is Audi’s fresh take on the city-centric SUV.
Described as the most progressive model in the new A1 product line, Audi says it is at home in any environment, be it the city, on country roads and highways and even on slightly rough terrain.
The new suspension with a higher ride height accounts for 35mmof its higher stance, while the other 5mm comes from larger, 16 inch wheels.
Pictured is the standard bearer, Edition One, a special edition finished in arrow grey or pulse orange with 18-inch wheels.
The frames of the front side air inlets, radiator protective grille, Audi rings in the Singleframe and the rear labeling are all black.
Headlights and rear lights are tinted and the roof and exterior mirror housings are contrasting colours.
A decal with the edition one logo in a matt silver adorns the flanks.
The exclusive interior equipment is based on the S line interior line and features accents in a choice of orange or silver.
A large, octagonal Singleframe radiator grille is reminiscent of Audi Q models with a honeycomb insert painted matt black.
Two characteristic slots above the grille differentiate it from the A1 Sportback, while underbody protection painted in stainless steel hints at Citycarver’s off-road capability.
The wheel arches and redesigned side sills feature addons in a contrasting colour and the redesigned rear bumper echoes the robust look of the front end.
The colour palette includes nine exterior colours with a contrasting roof available in either Mythos black metallic or Manhattan grey metallic.
The black styling package bathes the attachments in the lower section of the body, which come standard in shades of grey and stainless steel paint finish in deep black.
The digital instrument cluster, for example, forms a compact unit with the air vents.
The vents, the centre tunnel console and the doors sport accent surfaces in mint, copper, orange or silver-grey.
S line also offers structured grey as a colour.
There are three optional equipment lines from which to choose: advanced, design selection and S line.
S line offers customers the choice between seat covers in cloth/synthetic leather or Alcantara/synthetic leather.
The interior design selection includes the contour/ambient lighting package.
The Audi A1 citycarver mirrors the A1 Sportback with a generous interior and a luggage compartment holding 335 litres.
Tick the box and a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System packs 560 watts of power.
We assume the power units for the Citycarver will emulate those for the existing A1 Sportback. That is 1.0, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines — Audi doesn’t say.
Europe gets Citycarver in the third quarter of this year — we have to wait.
CHECKOUT: Looks the same but Audi’s Q5 couldn’t be more different