Tag: S1

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Audi

Audi S1 to be launched on 12 February

2014 Audi S1 teaser

Audi has released a couple of teaser videos to YouTube in recent days announcing the arrival of an all-new model and is playing the deliberately coy approach of the car being a mystery.

All they have told us, in words, is that the car will be launched in South Africa next week, on 12 February, and that the model name includes a number (so it’s not the new TT).

The second teaser video gives us some visual clues and with some still shots and some investigation via Photoshop we reckon it’s pretty clear the new car is going to be the S1, the go fast version of the A1.

The two-door body style and mirror shape in the above pic look A1-based and inside we see the car has a 6-speed manual transmission and bright yellow seat backs with “quattro” badging. Very similar to the limited edition A1 quattro released in 2011, itself based on the 2011 A1 clubsport Wörthersee special.

Recent speculation suggests the S1 will feature a 170kW 2.0 TFSI engine, quattro all-wheel drive system and a manual transmission. See, we can join dots too!

You can watch the reveal next week via Audi MediaTV. Bring it on.

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Audi

Forget the S1, would you believe RS1?

Audi RS1 rumour

The Audi rumour mill has well an truly hit over drive in regards to the hottest version of its A1 platform. First, it was all about the S1. But Audi pulled the pin when they said they couldn’t fit quattro to the little pocket rocket and the car formerly known as the S1 simply became known as the A1 1.4 TFSI. Then, supposedly, Audi said it’s okay everyone, we can fit quattro into the A1, so there will be an S1 after all.

Or so we thought.

Now, the latest word from German rag Autobild says there will be no S1 – the famous Ur Quattro rally-spec name could be protected – instead, there will be an RS1. Only a few weeks ago we had an RS1 rumour pushing a 180kW 1.6 litre turbo theory. Today’s speculation says the RS version will be fitted with the 155kW 2.0 litre from the Golf GTI and, of course, a quattro drivetrain as well.

The RS1 is not due any time before 2012, so it looks like we’re in for at least two more years of will they/won’t they dramaz; probably in line with the RS3 storyline. Oh joy!

[Source: Autobild (translated)]

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Audi

Audi releases info on “S1 lite”

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI

The Audi S1 mystery has been solved. For now, at least. Today, new information has been released about a 136kW A1 which Audi now wants us to call a 1.4 TFSI. In theory this is the S1 that has been expected for several months, but it appears Ingolstadt had doubts about adorning a front-wheel drive car with an “S” badge. Probably a wise move too, saving that nomenclature for quattro equipped cars only.

As the name suggests the most powerful A1 model to date is powered by a 1.4 litre four cylinder engine that employs both supercharging and turbocharging technology. The supercharger gives the car a nudge along from around 1500–2400rpm, while the turbo gets serious from 3500rpm. Seems like there’s a bit of a gap there, but the proof will be in the driving.

In addition to its peak power the A1 1.4 TFSI offers 250Nm of torque. It’s pretty much the same unit found in the current Polo GTI. Like the Polo, the A1 can sprint to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds. When driven economically you should be using around 5.9 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled.

For now, and possibly always, the car can only be bought with a 7 speed S tronic double clutch transmission. Other gadgets fitted include an electronic limited slip diff, as well as the option of xenons with LED daytime running lights, a choice of two navigation systems and a 14 speaker Bose stereo.

Audi has been a bit light on with pictures for now, so we should expect to see more on that front when the car makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show. That also means we have to start keeping an ear out for new rumours of an all-new S1, possibly, or perhaps hopefully, powered by a 2.0 litre turbo and, of course, fitted with a quattro drivetrain. Maybe, maybe not?

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Audi

Audi S1 faces identity crisis

Audi S1 rendering

Contradiction and confusion are the order of the day in regards to the future of the Audi S1. It seems certain that an A1-based model with a 1.4 TFSI engine producing in the order of 130kW driving the front wheels only will be made. But what badge will it wear? Will this be the first “S” badged Audi that does not include an all-wheel drive quattro system?

According to Autocar, yes it will. On Tuesday they reported, “Audi has officially confirmed this month’s Paris motor show as the location for the launch of its new S1 hot hatch. The S1 will be front-wheel drive, making it the first S-badged Audi to do without a quattro drivetrain.”

Sounds pretty definitive, right. Well, on Wednesday Australian media outlet carsales published an equally confident report stating, “Audi has tried to quietly kill off its upcoming S1 just weeks before its scheduled launch in southern France.

“Insiders have revealed that while the car will still be built, it will be stripped of its S1 badges and will be known as an A1 1.4 TFSI instead.

“The final nail in its coffin was that Volkswagen Group boss Martin Winterkorn didn’t want its front-wheel drive status diluting an ‘S’ car line up that has been, up to now, exclusively all-wheel drive.”

The no quattro, no “S” badge theory does make sense. What doesn’t make sense is the number of interwebz articles confirming the launch of an S1 at Paris and just one report stating it won’t be happening. If you see any other reports discussing the cancellation of the S1, please post a link in the comments section below.

[Source: Autocar & carsales]

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Audi

More Audi S1 gossip

Audi S1 rendering

There’s been a bit of chatter around the tubes this morning about the Audi S1. Mostly there’s nothing new being said, other than this from Audi boss Ruper Stadler, “Sportiness is a core value for the Audi brand and we have some clear ideas [for the A1] in this direction.”

So, we’re still expecting around 132kW from a twincharged 1.4 litre engine to be powering the front wheels. Like the Polo GTI, there’s been no talk of a manual transmission either, so a 7-speed DSG is likely to be the only option there.

However, one tidbit that has been revealed is that the 155kW 2.0 litre engine found in the Golf GTI, among others, can just squeeze into the engine bay of the A1. That information came via an Audi engineer at the A1’s recent European launch. Were we given an innocent insight into future plans for the S1, or even an über RS1?

AUSmotive has heard a bit of a whisper that quattro has been approved for the A1 platform, but it’s not really much more than a whisper. If the A1 and its derivatives do remain front-wheel drive only, you’d have to think an RS1 model could be ruled out. An “S” model without Audi’s famous all-wheel drive is one thing, but surely they wouldn’t adorn the “RS” badge on a front driver.

[via Top Gear]

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Audi

Fade from red to blue

Audi S1 Photoshop

It’s about six weeks now since the Audi A1 was first seen in official images. But speculation over a cooking S1 model has been around for well over 12 months. And here’s some more S1 educated guesswork in the form of a Photoshopped rendering. After the jump you can see a video of how this car was “made”. It’s a fascinating look at some mad PS skillz.

[Source: TopGear]

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Audi S1 plans all-wheel drive attack on MINI JCW

Audi S1 quattro
Audi S1 quattro

AutoExpress has again led with images that will excite hot hatch enthusiasts. News has been around for a while about the Audi S1, but initial speculation suggested the S1 would be powered by the 2-litre turbo found in the current Mk5 Golf GTI. This latest report says the S1 will be powered by a 200bhp+ 1.4-litre twin charge engine, similar to the one used in the new Polo GTI. Of course, the S badging means the S1 will get that power to the ground using Audi’s familiar quattro technology.

From an Australian perspective, the spunky S1 looks to be the only car to match the MINI John Cooper Works in both driving thrills and desirability. While the feisty Renault Clio 197 might push both cars to the limit on tight mountain roads, it can’t match the cachet of either brand, let alone the build quality.

The aggressively styled S1 looks sensational and I, for one, can’t wait to test the car’s driving capabilities. I will have to wait a while though. The A1, the car on which the S1 will be based, is still over 12 months away from European release, so we’re likely to be looking at late 2011, at best, for the S1 to reach Australian shores.

Along with the supercharged and turbocharged technology of the engine, the S1 is said to showcase more of Audi’s gadgets, such as full LED lighting, a 7-speed S-tronic transmission and magnetic ride suspension, which will be electronically adjustable from inside the cabin. Most surprising, however, is the claim the quattro system will have a rearward bias, sending up to 60 per cent its power to the rear wheels under regular conditions.

Premium products command premium pricing, of course, so don’t expect much change from AU$55,000 by the time time you drive the S1 off the showroom floor. Something I look forward to doing myself when the opprtunity presents itself.

Source: AutoExpress