First, I have to apologize again for the sporadic posts. Been hurting lately and I might be developing carpal tunnel syndrome (apparently from too much typing, the price for being a total keyboard junkie). While that may keep me from typing, that wouldn’t keep me from blogging. Good thing we’ve got voice recognition software.

Anyway, back to business and some catching up to do. Let’s start with the Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro concept. Tokyo will be filled with concepts ranging from cute to crazy but this one, being designed by Europeans, boasts engineering instead of eccentricity.

The mug alone makes it a little mean bugger to look at - small but terrible. It’s like a pitbull pup ready to take your whole ankle off when it bites.

Targeted to bear down on the MINI Cooper, the concept hides a 1.4 TFSI engine under the hood which can dish out 150 bhp. It is front wheel drive and sports an S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox. What’s more interesting is that this little bugger’s green being a true plug-in hybrid promising zero emissions while driving in slow zones. Still, it racks up some impressive numbers 0-100 kph is 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 201 kph (roughly 125 mph).

As for the handling part, the A1 Metroproject features magnetic ride shock absorbers - the same technology found in the A8 and the TT. It also sits on massive 18-inch rims.

Source: Motor Authority