AUDI’s S1 Sportback has taken its place at the top of the A1 line-up with a price tag of $49,900, plus on-road costs, and its arrival also opens a new entry point into the brand’s S model range.

At the Australian launch of the S1, Audi admitted it won’t be a large-volume seller but said that as the most affordable S model it has an important role in attracting new buyers who will over time progress up the ranks of its high-performance vehicles.

The S1 also revives the famous nameplate worn by Audi’s rally cars in the 1980s, and while the same name is just a coincidence the German car-maker said its new pocket rocket’s performance credentials make it worthy to wear the badge.

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