Audi Promises to Sell A3 Sportback in North America by Next May

Other premium marques targeting the BMW 1-Series and Audi Sportback are Alfa Romeo's 147 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, among others. To some extent Volkswagen's

While North American BMW fans may never get to see the 5-door, other models based on the 1-Series architecture are expected to make their way across the Atlantic, including the 2-Series coupe and convertible, and possibly something close to this artist's rendering of a Z2 roadster. (Photo: Unofficial Artist's Rendering)

own Golf GTI targets this segment in premium trim, while Lancia's Ypsilon also offers luxurious amenities in an even more compact package. The compact premium segment is said to make up for approximately 6 percent of the global car market.

Alfa Romeo and Lancia aside, when can North Americans expect the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3? BMW is only saying it will offer the 1-Series in the U.S. within the next 5-years, but has stated that it won't be coming in its current 5-door guise and will feature a 6-cylinder engine only. While some analysts consider this shortsighted, given the current state of fuel prices and the automaker's storied history of performance-oriented 4-cylinder compacts (i.e. BMW's 2002tii and first generation M3), the company wants to be careful not to dilute its brand image in a market that considers the blue and white roundel to be in the premium category only - in Europe, the price gap between a 3-Series Compact (hatchback) and Golf is not as wide as within North America. Whether BMW chooses to offer a 4-door 1-Series

Canada's unique market and greater acceptance of small cars could mean we'll see the models like the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 (shown) before our American neighbors. (Photo: Audi Canada)

when the model finally arrives in the U.S., or a 2-door 2-Series coupe and/or convertible, is difficult to speculate.

In Canada, however, it is possible the 4- and 5-door models will be available, even with 4-cylinder power. While no official word has been stated, the possibility also hasn't been denied. Canada's unique market, featuring premium compact vehicles such as the Acura 1.7 EL that is sold exclusively here and Jaguar X-Type wagon not available in the U.S., the opportunities for the BMW 1-Series 4- and 5-door models and Audi A3 to succeed are much higher. Mercedes-Benz' smart brand, expected to enter the U.S. in 2006 with a new 4-door sedan and 5-door micro-SUV, begins to sell its smart fortwo 2-seat microcar this fall across Canada, just another sign that the Canadian market is very different than the U.S. The differences are attributed to a lower expendable average income, higher prices for fuel, and a general acceptance for smaller vehicles.