Audi S1 hot hatch for Australia
Audi boss puts a call in for even hotter A1The Audi A1 could soon pack an even bigger punch.
Strong demand for the just-released Sport model has prompted Audi Australia to put its hand up for an even hotter version of its popular hatch, dubbed by industry observers as the S1.
The German car maker has not yet confirmed that such a car exists or is planned, however spy photos have shown what is believed to be an Audi S1 lapping the Nurburgring.
Sports models have proven to be the most popular variants of the A1 for Audi in Australia.
When asked if there was room in the A1 line-up for a high performance model, the boss of Audi Australia, Uwe Hagan, told motoring.com.au:
"We are pushing [for] this because we can see how successful the A1 is. We are head to head with the MINI after launching this car in December with only one engine.
"Soon we get the diesel, which has a [market] share of 30 to 35 per cent. So this is also a really important car for us in our growth strategy."
He added: "We can see with A1 Sport [how much customer demand there is for] this car, so we want to build on that."
The on-again-off-again S1 project was delayed while Audi decided whether or not it should be all-wheel-drive, and if there is a business case to justify such a model. All Audi S models to date have been all-wheel-drive.
It is now widely accepted that Audi has agreed to not only go ahead with the project but also adapt an all-wheel-drive system, a costly addition mid-way through the car’s model life.
It is unclear what engine will power the S1 but there is speculation it could be a high output version of the turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre petrol engine that powers the Polo GTI (with which the Audi A1 shares its core structure).
The S1 is not likely to arrive in Australian showrooms until late 2012 or early 2013, and it will likely come with a significant price premium given the extra development cost.
The most expensive model in the A1 range can already eclipse $50,000 once options and on-road costs are included.
Pictured is the
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
