Audi South Africa has confirmed it has no plans to introduce the A1 Citycarver cross-hatch to its local line-up.

Revealed in July 2019, the front-driven A1 Citycarver boasts a raised ride height, larger wheels and extra body cladding when compared to the standard version of Ingolstadt's smallest premium hatchback. At the time of the unveiling, Audi SA said the A1 Citycarver was "under consideration" for a local introduction. Turns out the company decided against it.

“Although we’re not looking at bringing the Citycarver into the market right now, we think we have an efficient model portfolio in the A1 range, with the right mix of packages and options to suit our current market,” Tarryn Knight, head of marketing and product at Audi SA, said in response to a CARmag.co.za question during a recent online media session.

“We really believe in the offering we have on A1 right now and we aren’t looking at bringing the Citycarver into the market at this time,” she added.

As a reminder, the A1 Citycarver offers 40 mm of additional ground clearance over that of the A1 Sportback on which it is based. The suspension set-up accounts for 35 mm of that extra clearance, with the rest coming courtesy of larger wheels (which start at 16 inches in diameter).

The German firm has also fitted underbody protection (finished in a stainless-steel look) as well as added body cladding round the wheelarches and the side sills (standard in grey but also offered in black as part of a package).

Original article from Car