Sunday 14th August 2016

Audi RS1 on the way?

Autocar is suggesting the current A1 could get a 280hp swansong...

---

The Audi S1 is a car we like at PistonHeads. It looks cool - especially in the brighter colours - goes very well and handles far better than you may expect of a small fast Audi. Therefore the news - or rather a rumour, as it remains at the moment - of an RS1 is rather exciting indeed.

This with box arches and more power? Yes!

Autocar states that the car has been given the go-ahead by Audi bosses, on sale early next year ahead of an all new A1 in 2018. Unlike the A1 quattro, it should be a regular production model like its RS3 and RS6 siblings as well. So what should we expect?

Predictably enough, the RS1 is likely to use the EA888 2.0-litre turbo that sees service in all manner of VW hot hatches. A power figure of around 280hp has been suggested, giving it a useful 50hp more than the S1 but also less than the bigger hot hatches like the Leon Cupra and Golf R. Wouldn't want to step on their toes...

The rendered image here hints at what an RS1 could look like using familiar fast Audi cues. Bigger arches, deeper grilles and lower suspension are all likely to feature, plus some racier seats inside. Interestingly, Autocar's information also implies there will be a choice of three- and five-door RS1s, plus manual or dual-clutch gearbox options.

The market for mega B-segment hot hatches seems to be expanding at the moment, with cars like the Mini Challenge and Clio R.S.16 (they have to build it, don't they?) announced recently. The RS1 would surely fit in there nicely, but expect a start price in excess of £30,000. More details to (hopefully) follow as that launch date approaches.

[Source: Autocar]

[housen]

autocar still owe me a polo r 4x4 with a dsg box

[belfarm]

Er, yes - exactly. Would be nice BUT that's if it ever appears. But, TBH, at over £30k???

[Paddy78]

belfarm said:

Er, yes - exactly. Would be nice BUT that's if it ever appears. But, TBH, at over £30k???

I do like the look and sound of this in 3 door manual flavour. £30k isn't that ridiculous in the grand scheme of expensive hot hatches... £45k for an A45 AMG... It just makes the Fiesta ST and Focus RS seem all the more bargainous.

If they make it, they will sell a decent amount and will probably hold it's value reasonably well like other RS models.

[vz-r_dave]

Where does the Quattro fit in? Sound like it's going to be a quicker car? Very odd IMO.

[w201]

Paddy78 said:

I do like the look and sound of this in 3 door manual flavour. £30k isn't that ridiculous in the grand scheme of expensive hot hatches... £45k for an A45 AMG... It just makes the Fiesta ST and Focus RS seem all the more bargainous.

If they make it, they will sell a decent amount and will probably hold it's value reasonably well like other RS models.

The a45 starts at 38k not 45! 😉

[cib24]

Doesn't matter. This car will still be about as interesting to drive as watching paint dry like every other Audi barring the R8 and perhaps the RS6.

[Arbs]

I'd be pretty pissed off if I bought one of the few a1 quattros, then this showed up! Although the Quattro still has its rarity!

[Cudd Wudd]

I like the sound of this, but I find the price of a nearly new S1 quite prohibitive: it seems to be firmly in Golf R, Leon Cupra and M135i territory (and others), and despite me liking the compact size of the S1, I find it hard to justify (especially given the lease deals to be had elsewhere and with a Mountune Fiesta ST costing circa 5-10k less).

I'd find an RS1 very tempting, but no doubt the price will put in contention with all of the above and others like the Mk3 Focus RS and CTR.

I too am still waiting for the Polo R to make its appearance...

Edited by Cudd Wudd on Friday 12th August 13:35

[PaulJC84]

Arbs said:

I'd be pretty pissed off if I bought one of the few a1 quattros, then this showed up! Although the Quattro still has its rarity!

I dont think you could really complain at a potentially better car coming out 4 years after the original.

[iphonedyou]

cib24 said:

Doesn't matter. This car will still be about as interesting to drive as watching paint dry like every other Audi barring the R8 and perhaps the RS6.

Out of interest, how does the R8 compare to the RS6 - presume a very different drive?

[dollyboy]

Being an RS model, surely it shouldn't have less power than a Golf R and Leon Cupra, even though it is a smaller model? The same 300hp version of the engine as used in the Golf R and S3 as a minimum I would have thought? With a remap to 370hp that would be quite an interesting A1.

[xRIEx]

housen said:

autocar still owe me a polo r 4x4 with a dsg box

Exactly.

article said:

Autocar states

Bullst article is bullst.

[Ozzie Osmond]

w201 said:

The a45 starts at 38k not 45! ??

Either way these are just mainstream hatchbacks for the price of a Porsche!

[xRIEx]

Ozzie Osmond said:

w201 said:

The a45 starts at 38k not 45! ??

Either way these are just mainstream hatchbacks for the price of a Porsche!

I know, it's crazy, right? For about the same price as a base Cayman they give you an extra 80bhp, 4WD, 3 more seats and a much bigger boot. Rubbish value!

Of course, we have to remember that Merc sell vastly more cars than Porsche, so they are automatically better. Because they sell more. I mean, if they sell more models it must mean they are objectively better in every way.

[epom]

Yep I'd love one... 3 door only though.

[cib24]

iphonedyou said:

cib24 said:

Doesn't matter. This car will still be about as interesting to drive as watching paint dry like every other Audi barring the R8 and perhaps the RS6.

Out of interest, how does the R8 compare to the RS6 - presume a very different drive?

Perhaps you missed the context of my comment?

[Alias218]

Did Autocar also publish an 'exclusive' image of said car with sunbursts coming off every surface and parts definitely not photoshopped from an RS6?

[Adz The Rat]

cib24 said:

Doesn't matter. This car will still be about as interesting to drive as watching paint dry like every other Audi barring the R8 and perhaps the RS6.

Well the current S1 is great fun to drive so IF this gets built I imagine it would be fun too.

I don't think it will get built though, all just bullst to pad out their magazine.

[Paddy78]

Ozzie Osmond said:

w201 said:

The a45 starts at 38k not 45! ??

Either way these are just mainstream hatchbacks for the price of a Porsche!

Apologies for the inaccuracy... The A45 still doesn't seem like a bargain though, which is the point I was making. I'll be honest and say I haven't looked into buying one so it was a bit of a guess.

[coupe20VT]

A bit off topic but it's interesting how people keep saying the A45 AMG is a lot more expensive than its rivals in the sector.

However if you spec up a focus RS with the recaro seats, sync2 nav, 19 wheels and the non-standard colour its pretty much £34,000 and there are no discounts.

The A45 AMG with a similar spec can be had for ~£35,000 through carwow (discounted approx 10%) so in reality very similar in price.