Audi has been slated to show off its new entry level A1 at the Tokyo Auto Show, but according to Automotive News, their design hasn’t even been finalized yet. Audi executives are concerned that the A1’s styling is ‘too radical’ and won’t be warmly received by the public. Hopefully they can hash it out soon, as this vehicle is likely to sell very well. Production may begin as early as the third quarter of 2009 at Audi’s Brussels assembly plant.

The A1 is priced to compete with the Mini Cooper, starting somewhere between $20 - $23k. The little Audi probably won’t be available in all-wheel drive Quattro due to budget constraints, but there should be a number of powerplant options ranging from a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter in the base model, or turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines between 1.2- to 2.0-liters.

BMW is rumored to be working on an entry leveled compact car as well.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog ]