We suspect you’ll be seeing these photos coming at you from numerous automotive websites within a few hours, and well you should. Amid rampant speculation that Audi is pushing last-minute changes to the design of their upcoming A1 compact, expected to debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, we humbly present you with an alternative take by independent designer Gabriel Rabhi – a story the artist has most generously shared with Audi enthusiasts first via this website.

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I think I'll wait for the official concept at Tokyo to pass judgement.

My old car

The THEME of the drawings is good - the concept is good, but the execution just doesn't work. Also, I don't see this theme as carrying the new Audi design trend of appearing "dynamic" - this looks boxy and confined, not dynamic and aggressive.

I think Audi will give us something more akin to the Mini - but a much more sporty, raked, aggressive one. This design just doesn't seem to work. Great attempt, but if this were to go into production I wouldn't be terribly excited about it.

I was just thinking the same thing. KNEW the guy had to be French..

I just hope it doesn't look like the bastardized offspring of a Honda Element and Renault Megane! ;-)

I can respect that you think it might be confusing for those who don't read the article, but for reference, we say it is NOT the real car in the opening paragraph. More importantly, we also showed a drawing FROM AUDI and suggested it is probably closer. I would hope people at least read the first paragraph, or the label of ever photo save the header, which all are labeled as a design by Gabriel Rabhi.

thank god its not the real car..

bad ass .:R32, thats all

First of all guys, whether you like it or not, there's no need to be mean about this. Design is subjective. You like it or you don't, but that doesn't change the fact that the artist put a lot of work into the project. It's not that hard to critique something you don't like without calling it a hunk of sh*t. Could you please try to be more courteous to the artist who was kind enough to share his project with us?

Second, we have run a series of independent designer studies (linked at the bottom of that article). Why? Design is an important tenet to the Audi brand. Seeing another designer's take on the brand can be quite interesting, just like listening to some of your favorite music in remixed form. It changes things up, and shows what people can do. It also shows how much energy there is for the Audi brand amongst young designers. Unfortunately, when you have reactions like some of the above, you probably scare away many designers who might consider sharing their work. In as much, can you please not be mean spirited in the critiques? It's just not cool.

You might not be surprised to know that many impressions and drawings in print magazines are no closer to actual design. This is no different, other than it's in CGI.

BTW, Autoblog has picked up the story and just this morning I got an email from MSN UK who wants to pick up the story and is looking for contact info for Mr. Rabhi.

Thanks for posting that. While personally this interpretation of the A1 does nothing for me, I see nothing wrong with Fourtitude posting renditions of what the vehicle *might* look like. I don't understand the vitriol being spewed about this post.

Quote, originally posted by George@Fourtitude »

First of all guys, whether you like it or not, there's no need to be mean about this. Design is subjective. You like it or you don't, but that doesn't change the fact that the artist put a lot of work into the project. It's not that hard to critique something you don't like without calling it a hunk of sh*t. Could you please try to be more courteous to the artist who was kind enough to share his project with us? Second, we have run a series of independent designer studies (linked at the bottom of that article). Why? Design is an important tenet to the Audi brand. Seeing another designer's take on the brand can be quite interesting, just like listening to some of your favorite music in remixed form. It changes things up, and shows what people can do. It also shows how much energy there is for the Audi brand amongst young designers. Unfortunately, when you have reactions like some of the above, you probably scare away many designers who might consider sharing their work. In as much, can you please not be mean spirited in the critiques? It's just not cool.

Exactly. I wish people could simply respect each others' effort. I mean, you should see some of my early designs. They were truly awful.

The side profiles remind me of the MINI... but with Audi flavor. Awesome!

i will agree i could have said it in a more constructive way, sometimes im too blunt.. but what i think of the actual rendition has nothing to do with the artists effort. im sure there was lot of work put into this, and there is no way i could do something like this.. but i dont like it.

bad ass .:R32, thats all