- Audi is developing a performance-oriented S1 variant of its A1 hatchback.
- The S1 will share the VW Polo GTI's 182-horsepower 1.4-liter Twincharger four-cylinder.
- Audi S1 will not be sold in the U.S.
BERLIN — Audi is developing a performance-oriented S1 variant of its new A1 baby hatchback, but sister brand Volkswagen has ruled out a Polo R edition.
In an interview with Australia's Drive.com Web site, VW's Ernst Linder confirmed development of the Audi S1, which is due in 2011. Linder said the front-wheel-drive S1, which will not be sold in the U.S., will share the 182-horsepower 1.4-liter Twincharger four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with VW Polo GTI. For now, there is no all-wheel-drive Quattro version planned.
Linder also said VW is developing an R edition of the Jetta sedan, but he suggested that a Polo R has been ruled out because it would encroach on the S1.
The Jetta R, which could share the Golf R's turbo 2.0-liter engine, is at least a year away, according to Drive.com.
Inside Line says: We're hoping Audi's decision to withhold both the A1 and the S1 from the U.S. market is not irreversible. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
11:51 AM, 05/30/2010
why should I buy this over a (soon to be released in the USA) POLO GTI? I'll wait for the VW thank you.
rayzor says:
05:47 PM, 05/25/2010
Let them keep it in Europe, it is just another overpriced hatch...
k55 says:
09:16 AM, 05/25/2010
Every time I see a tasty offering and then the words "will not be sold in the US" I am starting to see a game played like Pavlov's dogs........List the statement .............no no no no............beg more, roll over...........beg more..........ok here's your treat .now pay full list price please. Who do they think they are kidding.
juan_mx says:
08:48 AM, 05/25/2010
While Audi is "developing" the S1....
Seat, the spanish subsidiary of VAG, already sells the Ibiza Cupra with basically the same 1.4TSI engine and the same 7-speed DSG, plus the XDS differential from the GTI.
The 3-door Ibiza Cupra uses the same platform, looks a lot like the Audi S1, and it is cheaper (Seat is always cheaper than Audi), so it is not clear to me why Audi wants to enter this segment, unless one of the main markets is North America, where nobody will pay $23,000 for a small VW like the Polo GTI, but many would consider the S1 a worthy competitor to the Mini Cooper S.
jm1212 says:
08:32 AM, 05/25/2010
mklrivowner-
the A1 is actually based on the Polo, which has its own platform. plus, the Golf platform is a very versatile platform that VW has done a great job as sharing amongst many vehicles while almost disguising differently in each one.
that cannot be said for a vehicle such as the Camry or Taurus, whose roots are absolutely obvious in all of the vehicles it underpins...they all drive very similar. Golf platform mates usually do not drive exactly the same.
mklrivowner says:
07:08 AM, 05/25/2010
93aero - "this little bastard car needed to be a VW."
Sure give VW ANOTHER Golf variant...
Keep the Cooper fighter as an Audi.
jm1212 says:
12:34 PM, 05/24/2010
they should put the TTS's 2.0T engine in there instead...that would be one hot hatch for sure
93aero says:
11:49 AM, 05/24/2010
this little bastard car needed to be a VW. I really dislike everything about a "super affordable" Audi. Just takes the brand down a notch when everyone has one.
compressor says:
11:28 AM, 05/24/2010
Though quattro would be nice in some wintery environments, it really wouldn't be needed given the power output. For the most part it would just add performance robbing weight and driveling losses. And in this car, the weight percentage added would be much higher than on a larger model. Plus, cost will go up.
dc325ix says:
09:52 AM, 05/24/2010
put the quatrro in and I'm sold!