Audi-designed Santa's sleigh (2009)

Father Christmas has adapted his own version of the new Audi A1. Ho-ho-ho

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

18 December 2009 08:04

Audi has opted for a quick fix in designing an Ingolstadt-sponsored Santa’s sleigh: it’s taken the forthcoming 2010 A1 and prepped it for Christmas duties.

Santa looks cheery in this left-hooker, a three-door version of Audi’s new Mini rival. It’s worth noting some of the details on the A1, which won’t be seen officially until spring 2010: the aluminium-effect roof pillar stretching the full length of the glasshouse; the shapefully kinked Audi LED headlights; and the full-depth goatee beard grille.

And is that an S1 badge lurking on the Audi grillework? Or just an S-Line flash? Perhaps Audi designer Enzo Rothfuss has let slip a few pointers to further A1 derivatives.

Father Christmas appears to be enjoying the on-the-limit dynamics of the Audi A1, suggesting this particular model may sport the Quattro drivetrain with the increasingly popular 60:40 rear bias.

He’s certainly got it tanked sideways enough to let Rudolph have a good gander out of the side window. ‘More sideways, deer.’

Good job the presents and old-fashioned sledge up top are lashed on to the roofrack firmly!

>> Remember to come back every day this week, as CAR Online publishes more Santa’s sleighs designed by world-leading car designers

By Tim Pollard