Audi A1 S1

Audi opened the order books for the A1 supermini earlier this year with prices starting at 13,145 for the basic SE trim and 18,280 for the top of the range 1.4 S Line with a 7 speed S-tronic transmission making it the most expensive model on sale to date. The 1.4 S Line is the current flagship which produces a respectable 122bhp, but Audi are planning to bring back an Eighties icon, the Audi S1 Quattro which featured in the World Rally Championship car back in the Eighties, this four wheel drive Audi won’t take on the Audi S1 Quattro name as Audi don’t want to upset any purists, instead the new Audi S1 will most likely come under the S Line range. Audi bosses have decided to develop the new S1 so it can go up against Volkswagen’s Polo R which is currently being developed by the Volkswagen’s performance division. Both cars will share the same underpinnings to help keep costs to a minimum, Volkswagen may use the four wheel drive technology used on the PoloCross and Skoda’s Fabia Scout to further increase savings, as Audi will reserve the sophisticated Quattro system solely for the S1. The Audi will continue to use innovations from larger models and fit them to their smaller ones. The Audi S1’s 4WD will come with the option of torque vectoring rear sport differential which is fitted on the Audi S4 and Audi RS5 which improves the cars handling. Audi are still considering engine choices for the new S1 although the current 1.4 TFSI fitted to the A1 S Line won’t be used. Instead Audi will try to put a distance between the new S1 and the rest of the A1 line up. Audi are likely to use one of the VW Group’s petrol turbo engines which currently power the Golf GTI and Skoda Yeti. Another option could be a new 1.6-litre unit which VW is planning to use in the World Rally Championship under a new team set up by Spanish former WRC ace Carlos Sainz as the sport’s rules dictate that all cars must be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine. The Audi S1 is likely to deliver around 240bhp which will offer a mind blowing performance form such a small car. The 0-62mph should come in around the six seconds mark and the top speed will be limited to 155mph. The Audi S1 should come with the choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed S tronic gearbox. Despite the performance under the bonnet the Audi S1 will only have a few cosmetic tweaks in comparison to the 1.4 TSI S Line. The Audi S1 will be fitted with a deeper front bumper, more pronounced wheel arches to help house the larger alloys wheels, a black rear diffuser and Audi’s special badges. Also a Two-tone paint option will also be offered. The Audi S1 interior will feature sports seats, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, drilled pedals and a carbon fibre trim. The S1 is expected to debut as a concept car in late 2011, before going on sale sometime 2012, the Audi S1 Starting price should be around the 25,000.