Thursday 23rd September 2010

Audi Reveals New S1 - Not

Hot A1 at Paris, but Audi changes its mind over name

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As we revealed last week, Audi is indeed set to unveil this, a thus-far range-topping version of the A1, at the Paris motor show. But it won't be called an S1 as previously suggested.

Audi has apparently backtracked on the 'S1' moniker because it doesn't want to apply the name to a car without all-wheel drive.

Instead, the front-wheel drive car will be called the A1 1.4 TFSI. Powering those wheels, as expected, is the 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged engine that also serves in the Polo GTI, Fabia vRS and Ibiza Cupra.

But the A1 does get a bespoke state of tune that nets it 182bhp, a whole 5bhp more than the engine manages in its other applications (everybody say 'ooohh!'). the 184lb ft of torque is unchanged, however.

The A1 1.4 TFSI gets an electronic limited-slip differential and a 7-speed twin-clutch 'box as standard and will, says Audi, manage the 0-62mph sprint in 6.9secs and hit a top speed of 141mph.

[TommyBuoy]

So make an AWD A1 with the TT S engine...job done - S1

Then, add the TT RS engine and there you go - RS1

ETA: Glad they went with a snappy name though

Edited by TommyBuoy on Thursday 23 September 11:17

[craigbunyan]

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

[mnkiboy]

Still don't really get the A1. Polo, Fabia and Ibiza do the job perfectly well, this really is just a case of slapping a badge on and charging £3K extra.

It's not even a particularly nice looking car.

[Flanders.]

Someone washed their A3 to hot, didn't they?

[Vantagefan]

The S1 was the Pikes Peak racecar so you can sort of see why they don't want to use that name on something that would struggle on a 40% incline.

[White-Noise]

How exciting!

[E21_Ross]

craigbunyan said:

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

maybe it's limited by traction from the massive power? oh wait no. it's probably got massive tyres anyway.

[Sir_Dave]

mnkiboy said:

Still don't really get the A1. Polo, Fabia and Ibiza do the job perfectly well, this really is just a case of slapping a badge on and charging £3K extra.

Yes. Audi do this with 90% of their cars. And their owners buy into the 'lifestyle'.

You want a dull, lifeless VAG, just buy a Skoda.

[davepoth]

mnkiboy said:

Still don't really get the A1. Polo, Fabia and Ibiza do the job perfectly well, this really is just a case of slapping a badge on and charging £3K extra.

It's not even a particularly nice looking car.

And that's exactly why everybody bought 1 Series BMWs despite the RWD compromising the space and looks. The badge.

This is for people who love to tell people they just bought a new Audi. And so long as you don't park next to any other cars and squint a bit people will think it's an A3.

I guess this does pave the way for a bigger engine, or at least "quattro". I wonder what will fit?

[Cassius81]

Not even sure that they needed to use the TTS engine. Surely the way to differentiate this thing sufficiently from the Polo, Fabia etc was to slot in the Mk 6 Golf GTI engine (assuming it isn't too big)? Plus 4 wheel drive, again if it will fit...

That way 180bhp plays 210ish and the Audi justifies its extra £3k with better performance... Plus its not like they are intruding on the S3's territory, as that has 265bhp...

And then roll out the 5 pot lump (or indeed the S3 motor) for the RS...

Although I'd heard the new RS4 would be the next RS car..?

Edited by Cassius81 on Thursday 23 September 11:43

[The Donster]

craigbunyan said:

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

I don't get this. Sub-7 seconds to 62 mph with a small capacity lump producing 180-odd brake ISN'T quick? I think we've been spoilt too much by massive power figures to realise that this is actually very respectable, especially in FWD only form.

Edited by The Donster on Thursday 23 September 11:43

[Wollcage]

sack the sub editor!

[Steve_W]

Sir_Dave said:

Yes. Audi do this with 90% of their cars. And their owners buy into the 'lifestyle'.

You want a dull, lifeless VAG, just buy a Skoda.

True - Skoda don't have the "imagine" of Audi!

[Gunton]

The Donster said:

craigbunyan said:

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

I don't get this. Sub-7 seconds to 62 mph with a small capacity lump producing 180-odd brake ISN'T quick? I think we've been spoilt too much by massive power figures to realise that this is actually very respectable, especially in FWD only form.

Edited by The Donster on Thursday 23 September 11:43

I couldn't agree more!

[MagicalTrevor]

davepoth said:

And that's exactly why everybody bought 1 Series BMWs despite the RWD compromising the space and looks. The badge.

Everyone except me maybe I bought my 1 series because it was RWD

[A Scotsman]

The Donster said:

craigbunyan said:

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

I don't get this. Sub-7 seconds to 62 mph with a small capacity lump producing 180-odd brake ISN'T quick? I think we've been spoilt too much by massive power figures to realise that this is actually very respectable, especially in FWD only form.

Edited by The Donster on Thursday 23 September 11:43

It's also not very believable. There is no way this thing will be faster than a ClioSport 200 or indeed faster than a Clio 182. It's just too big/heavy.

[Ash From Flux]

I'm not really a fan of the looks of that. Most cars have faces and I think that this one looks fed up somehow.

[hayesey]

I'm actually quite proud of them for not wanting to re-use the name of the mental group B rally car on what is a fairly run of the mill hot-hatch. At least someone there still values heritage then.

[davidcharles]

Gunton said:

The Donster said:

craigbunyan said:

So, even the VAG sub-B segment cars are getting tubby then - 6.9 to 62 with 180 odd brake?

I don't get this. Sub-7 seconds to 62 mph with a small capacity lump producing 180-odd brake ISN'T quick? I think we've been spoilt too much by massive power figures to realise that this is actually very respectable, especially in FWD only form.

Edited by The Donster on Thursday 23 September 11:43

I couldn't agree more!

...yeah me too...anything that doesn't start with a 3 on its 0-60 time is deemed as slow these days.

[ge0rge]

Not fussed by this at all. Hmm