Audi has given its A1 supermini a serious shot in the arm to produce a limited-run performance model with outputs that leaves the likes of the Ford Focus ST, Renault Megane RS250 and VW Golf GTI in the shade.
Conceived as an historic nod to Audi’s rally heydays of the 1980s, the A1 quattro is powered by the same 2,0-litre turbocharged engine normally found nestled in the nose of the company’s S3 hot hatch. Transversely mounted and coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox, this unit produces 188 kW at 6 000 r/min and 350 N.m of torque between 2 500-4 500 r/min.
Power is channelled to all four corners via a Haldex-style all-wheel-drive system that as been specifically engineered for the A1’s underpinnings giving the quattro the requisite traction required to crack a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 5,7 seconds on the way to a 245 km/h top speed. To make the most of the performance on offer, Audi engineers have lowered, modified and stiffened the A1’s MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension setup. In addition, the car’s ESP system can now be fully switched out and is augmented by an electronically actuated diff-lock.
Stylistically, the A1 quattro’s looks have been suitably beefed up to reflect the blistering performance on offer. Up front, a deep bumper with enlarged air dams and a black-framed grille give the car a more aggressive face, while wider sills, a black taillamp surround, a sporty rear valance with twin exhaust outlets and roof spoiler round off the package. The wheels are 18-inch centre-lock items that further hint at the car’s rally-inspired origins. The interior also receives some go-faster goodies in the shape of a flat-bottomed steering wheel, bolstered sports seats and a rev counter that has been finished in red to stand out against the otherwise dark cabin trim.
So, a compact, rally-inspired all-wheel drive hot hatch with sufficient power to blow most of its larger rivals into the weeds – surely, it’s all too good to be true? Well, for right-hand drive markets, it unfortunately is.
Just 333 units will be built – all of them sporting a southpaw cabin configuration. That’s not to say that it’s all doom and gloom, though. This model at least represents a further move towards production viability for a hot A1 – a move that was initiated by the A1 Clubsport quattro concept that was shown off at this year’s Wörtherseetour. Given the interest that a model such as this will doubtlessly generate, it would be surprising if Audi didn’t decide to introduce a right-hand drive version…
