On our last evening in Germany....at the Kempinski Hotel at the Munich Airport...Audi was having a huge training event surrounding the introduction of the A1. I talked to a guy there, and he said there were no plans at all to bring the A1 to North America (USA & Canada). Europe will get it, and Brazilian-built A1's will be sold in Brazil, Mexico, and Panama. I sat in an A1, and it has a roomy interior, but small in the back seat.

I think the BMW 335d would be a good choice for you, considering your wants!

Let us know what you finally do....

 

I am in the same boat as a bunch of folks who have posted here. I would really like the A3 Quattro TDI in manual trans, but obviously cant get it! I would be willing to work with an importer if I could buy one in Germany and bring it here. I was so close to buying the A3 TDI available here but really cant stomach the S-drive, advanced though it might be - its the feel of the manual I want. Has there been any change in this regard? Birdgal5, could you have bought the manual, quattro TDI in Germany and sent it to the US? Thanks!

 

Nope! I live in California, and they have really tightened down on all the emission requirements. The only way I know of (and, this may be shut down, as well) to bring in a car from Germany is to buy one there (and, remember, Germany has a 14% VAT), put on a certain number of miles (it used to be 7500), then import it....then you car must be retro-fitted with with all the safety and smog requirements for the USA before you can license it. As irritating as it is to be driving an automatic with no quattro....it just isn't worth the hassle and worry! I am getting used to the automatic....I am just glad I don't live where quattro would be a necessity in winter.

btw....when I picked my car up at the dealer, after it was shipped from Germany, it had to be SMOGGED before I could have it!!!! What's up with THAT?

I am loving the car....it's fun to drive and the fuel economy is outstanding!

Cheers