FUTUREICONS
right, I’ll admit this is a quirky filter, but wehaven’t nominated the
six cars you see here to pose as mere ‘modern classics’. The idea,
rather, is to determine which of them,if any, has what it takes to
becomea fully fledged future icon. And since I’m the onedoingthe
determining, it’s personal and includes a large dollopof retro cool.
McQueen, hopefully, is mylodestar.
To be honest, even I’m notsure exactly what I’m looking for, but I
knowit has something to dowith toughnessand depth of purpose.
Nothing too flash. A doerfirst.A car morefascinating than
fabulous, with more presence thanprettiness. A car that doesn’t
give a toss what you think because it will seduce you anyway.
Audi’s A1quattro, therefore, gets off to a goodstart. The left-
hand-drive, limited-edition(just 333 made, 19for the UKmarket)
forerunner to the tamer series-productionS1is a butch little spud
of a car that subverts the prim, inoffensive, soap-slick styling of
the cooking itemwith an almosttoy-like exuberance. It projects
a jumbo-wheeled, sci-fi-flavouredpersonality with sculptural
Glacier White modelling more reminiscent of the EVA pods in
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 : ASpace Odysseythanthe usual macho
hothatch enhancements.
Thereare exotic shapes, vibrant coloursand basso profundo
soundtracksymphonies alive in the paddockat our Anglesey
Circuit basefor the day, but the Audi’s almost cartoonish,
puffed-out chest and sheer brightness are impossible to ignore,
even if the soft burble of its exhaust – thankfully devoid of crass
overrun pops and bangs – can barely makeitself heard. While
photographygets underwayontrack with the larger group, I
grabthe keys and headout for somefun onthe Llanberis Pass
as part of a 40-mile round trip.
Next-generation megahatches with a routine 400 bhp-
plusare nearly here, sothe 253bhpdevelopedbythe littlest
quattro’s 2-litre four-cylinder turbo (lifted fromthe S3) is
beginning to looka tad tepidonpaper. Well, it’s anything but
onthe road.All right, 0-62mph in 5.7sec, while handy, props
upthe times posted by allthe other monster-motoredwould-be
icons here, but the A1quattro’s size-to-speed ratio, hitched to
the agile tenacity of anamusingly adjustable all-drive chassis,
is dynamic dynamite onblacktopthat snakes through craggy
canyons. Businessisconducted withminimal theatre but
a fierce focus and delicious absence ofwastedenergy. The
aerobically enhancedA1simply grabs the tarmacand goes
and, despite its ratherlight and feel-mutedsteering, swiftly
Left:V12 engine makes the appealing Vantage even more desirable.Right:
Competition variant rescued the M2’s rep by bringing more focus in all the
right places, but will it be held aloft as an M-car exemplar in years to come?