Audi's A1 started life as a posh derivative of the VW Polo supermini, a 3-door supermini with upmarket features. A few years back, however, they decided to see what would happen if they stuck a 2.0 TFSI and quattro all-wheel drive into the car. It was called the A1 quattro and fans quickly gobbled up all 333 units of the limited edition series.
Seeing that demand was clearly there, Audi decided to make a full production model and gave us the S1 at this year's Geneva Motor Show. As deliveries are starting to wind up in Germany, the company sent two examples of the car to the Audi Forum in Neckarsulm, so we can now show you what the S1 is actually like in the real world.
A dark gray 5-door and white 3-door cut a very understated figure. It's almost as if these are A1s with the S line body kit. We are clearly not looking at the same Viper Green crazy car as two months ago, which is a bit of a shame.
Most S1s will probably end up looking like this. The Viper Green and bright yellow colors are optional, and so is the big wing fitted as part of the 'quattro package'. In fact, even painted brake calipers cost extra.
But at the end of the day, this is still the only 4-meter pocket rocket out there with quattro all-wheel drive and a 231 hp 2-liter engine. For €30,000, Audi also gives you independent rear suspension for the first time. Compared to a Golf GTI, the S1 is still good value, but it's just a shame that you don't get more bang for the buck.
Audi Forum Neckarsulm is a sort of museum of cars that are currently in production. People interested in paying top € for a new Audi can visit and see the Exclusive parts catalog or play with the latest MMI LTE technology. This melting pot of all things with four rings has supposedly already been visited by 1.7 million people.
A dark gray 5-door and white 3-door cut a very understated figure. It's almost as if these are A1s with the S line body kit. We are clearly not looking at the same Viper Green crazy car as two months ago, which is a bit of a shame.
Most S1s will probably end up looking like this. The Viper Green and bright yellow colors are optional, and so is the big wing fitted as part of the 'quattro package'. In fact, even painted brake calipers cost extra.
But at the end of the day, this is still the only 4-meter pocket rocket out there with quattro all-wheel drive and a 231 hp 2-liter engine. For €30,000, Audi also gives you independent rear suspension for the first time. Compared to a Golf GTI, the S1 is still good value, but it's just a shame that you don't get more bang for the buck.
Audi Forum Neckarsulm is a sort of museum of cars that are currently in production. People interested in paying top € for a new Audi can visit and see the Exclusive parts catalog or play with the latest MMI LTE technology. This melting pot of all things with four rings has supposedly already been visited by 1.7 million people.