Geneva show: Audi confirms S1 for Australia

AUDI has confirmed its new S1 Quattro pocket rocket for Australia where it will touch down in the third quarter of this year with an estimated sticker price of $50,000, making it the German brand's cheapest 'S' sports machine here.

Under-cutting the larger S3 by about $10,000, the A1-based light hatch will be powered by a 170kW 2.0-litre turbo-charged TSFI four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels through Audi's proprietary quattro drive system – the first such system in this class – and a six-speed manual gearbox. At this stage, no automatic alternative is available.

It will come to Australia only in five-door Sportback guise, with the three-door model selling only in Europe.

The new model – which revives the S1 badge that adorned Audi rally cars in the 1980s – was formally revealed in images released by Audi in Ingolstadt last night, although some images escaped on the internet 24 hours early. It will be publicly unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month.

With 370Nm of torque on tap, the S1 can shoot from zero to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h.

Fuel consumption is said to be 7.1 litres per 100km.

The S1's exterior has been dressed with a special sports bumper, side skirts, rear diffuser and high-mounted rear wing on the hatch, along with Quattro badges on the rear doors.

The suspension has been given the full sports treatment to enhance handling, with a four-link rear suspension replacing the compound-link rear end of the regular A1.

Brakes have been beefed up to boost stopping power, with 310mm discs on the front, backed by a bigger booster.

The driver can select from several modes to adjust the response of the engine, automatic air conditioning and variable shock absorbers.

The distinctive alloy wheels are 17-inch or 18-inch.

Audi Australia promises a high level of equipment, including sports seats and stainless steel pedals.

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle told GoAuto he would have preferred to be able to offer an automatic alternative to the manual gearbox.

But he said the car would still be in demand from purists, helping to throw a positive halo effect over the A1 range.

Final pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to launch.