What Car? Was one of the first to comment through their website, saying: “The idea of a supermini wearing Audi badges clearly resonates with a lot of people.” They then went on to say: “the choice of infotainment and multi-media systems – some of them lifted directly from executive and luxury cars – will ensure the A1 fits the bill for people stepping out of bigger cars.” What Car? then concluded that: “We can almost guarantee it will steal a slice of the Mini’s market.”

The story that was run by Auto Express headlined: “The A1 is here…so who needs a MINI?” and then continued to encourage readers to: “Meet the exciting new small Audi that’s on the road to compact car glory!”

Car’s website felt that: “This is what promises to be one of the biggest debuts at the 2010 Geneva motor show: the new Audi A1 supermini.” They continued by pinpointing two of the A1’s biggest strengths: “Performance, emissions and handling are all boosted by the A1′s light weight, which tips the scales from 1045kg” and ”that charismatic sweeping pillar from windscreen to rump can be had in silver or three other colours (black, white, grey). You can even change them retrospectively to match London’s Fashion Week’s latest colour fad.” Perhaps Car’s most poignant commentary looked at the wider social climate in which the A1 will arrive: “Carbon dioxide is evil, motoring taxes high and social mores are making large cars less acceptable, so the thinking goes. Against this backdrop, there’s little to argue against the new Audi A1′s exquisite timing.”

Keep checking this blog for more news and exclusive images of the A1.