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New details on Audi S1 emerge
Image removed at owner's request.
Auto Express got the inside dope on the upcoming Audi S1, and the the compact hatch has its sights set on the MINI Cooper JCW, Fiat 500 Abarth SS, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Volvo C30. Based on the new Audi A1, the S1 will feature a cranked up version of VW/Audi's Twincharger 1.4L TSI four tweaked to produce 200 hp and 221 ft-lb of torque. Power might be down compared to the S1's competitors, but expect the three-door to hold its own with a rear-biased quattro setup, a seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox and a lowered and stiffened suspension that might feature Audi's magnetic dampers. AE is projecting a 0-60 time of around six seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg.
The car should look as good as it moves, with styling that apes the metroproject quattro we saw in Tokyo last year. Expect an aggressive bodykit, 19-inch alloys, roof spoiler, and chrome accents. Inside, you'll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats and aluminum pedals, along with a version of Audi's mobile electronic device. The dash-mounted Audi iPhone-alternative can actually control some of the car's systems remotely, but we wouldn't be surprised if the system doesn't make it to production for at least another two years. The baby S3 won't be is cheap, so expect the S1 to start at almost double the A1's £13,000 starting price when sales begin abroad next year.
[Source: Auto Express]
Auto Express got the inside dope on the upcoming Audi S1, and the the compact hatch has its sights set on the MINI Cooper JCW, Fiat 500 Abarth SS, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Volvo C30. Based on the new Audi A1, the S1 will feature a cranked up version of VW/Audi's Twincharger 1.4L TSI four tweaked to produce 200 hp and 221 ft-lb of torque. Power might be down compared to the S1's competitors, but expect the three-door to hold its own with a rear-biased quattro setup, a seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox and a lowered and stiffened suspension that might feature Audi's magnetic dampers. AE is projecting a 0-60 time of around six seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and a combined fuel economy of 35 mpg.
The car should look as good as it moves, with styling that apes the metroproject quattro we saw in Tokyo last year. Expect an aggressive bodykit, 19-inch alloys, roof spoiler, and chrome accents. Inside, you'll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats and aluminum pedals, along with a version of Audi's mobile electronic device. The dash-mounted Audi iPhone-alternative can actually control some of the car's systems remotely, but we wouldn't be surprised if the system doesn't make it to production for at least another two years. The baby S3 won't be is cheap, so expect the S1 to start at almost double the A1's £13,000 starting price when sales begin abroad next year.
Gallery: 2010 Audi S1 rendering
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 3:09PM (1/06/2009)
Meh... back looks like a mk 1 Golf. Not exactly attractive. Hope the original will look better!
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ckm 3:11PM (1/06/2009)
Too bad they won't bring it to the US.
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firstplace 5:10PM (1/06/2009)
exactly what I thought. Probably price prohibitive..
Velvet_Kevorkian 3:17PM (1/06/2009)
I wouldn't be so sure about that should gasoline prices skyrocket again like they did last June! Audi is doing very well for itself...only time will tell.
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Scot 3:31PM (1/06/2009)
I would buy this car for high-20s US$.
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Rob 3:43PM (1/06/2009)
Ouch - currency conversion has it coming in at more like $37K
montoym 1:50AM (1/07/2009)
quote from Rob: -
"Ouch - currency conversion has it coming in at more like $37K"
Good thing they don't price cars by directly converting the prices then.
For instance I just tried a quick comparison. I went to the UK Audi site as well as the US Audi site and configured an A3 Sportback 2.0T FWD S-Line as closely as I could and the US version came in about $7000 less than the UK converted price was. Granted VAT(15%) takes up a good portion of that, but not all of it.
Look at the Corvette ZR1 as well, in the US, that car has a base price of about $103K, but in the UK, it will cost 109K GBP which converts to $162K US.
The VW R32 is very similar to the previous-gen Audi S3. That car lists for around $32K in the US. I don't see a less powerful, smaller, vehicle from the same family costing $5K more.
High $20K might not be a bad target, think of a smaller WRX competitor, but from Audi. The WRX costs around $24K and also offers AWD and a turbo engine(now with 265hp for '09). Audi couldn't get away with charging too much more than that I wouldn't think.
This is assuming we even see the A1 here ever, which is doubtful.
Red 3:49PM (1/06/2009)
Color me certainly intrigued, but there's a lot of stuff there unnecessary. Magnetic dampers? 7-speed DSG? Really? On an A1/S1? What happened to old fashioned suspension tuning? After having driven several vehicles with magnetic dampening systems, only maybe one or two actually worked as advertised, with a comfort and a dynamic setting. But even still, both cars worked best in normal setting, which negated the need for comfort or dynamic altogether. Then again, it's an Audi, not a VW. Everything's about showmanship with the luxury brands...
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Alex Nunez 4:06PM (1/06/2009)
That's no S1.
This is an S1:
http://www.histocars.de/uploads/embedding_gallery_image_4605acb1892ee/startseite_h14.jpg
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rsfourever 5:05PM (1/06/2009)
agreed 100%. i was thinking the same thing!
BigMcLargeHuge 4:14PM (1/06/2009)
Audi needs to TwinCharge the S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8.
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Travis 4:15PM (1/06/2009)
Ummmmm.... Not really sure what to say. I mean, I'm pissed that Audi won't be bringing the A1 over here. A turbo'd 1.4-1.6 putting out 150-170hp channeled through FWD, reasonably lightweight and starting at £13,000 sounds like a winning combination to me. Doubling the price for AWD, magnetic dampers and being forced into DSG doesn't exactly sound as appealing. Not that I wouldn't drive it, but just like I'd prefer a $22k GTI over a $32k R32, there gets to be a point where exclusivity and "factory tuning" just gets way, way too expensive. And just like the R32, the 2wd version (or its 2wd competitors) will probably be just as fast and cost far, far less.
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Beastage 4:30PM (1/06/2009)
Why is it competing with the Volvo C30? isn't that A3 turf?
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Hike15 10:33PM (1/06/2009)
the a3 starts a bit more expensive than the c30 and it is also a 5 door whereas the c30 is a 3-door which seats four
Rick 11:32AM (1/07/2009)
Did you read the article? It's facing the Mini S, not the C30.
Rick 11:35AM (1/07/2009)
Well oops, not this article, but one I read on another site that it was a low 20s to fight the mini and other tiny sporty cars.
The A3 is an A4 hatch and would compete against the C30. This A1/S1 will be much smaller. This is a mini A3.
timurjonchik 6:58PM (1/06/2009)
just UGLY
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hakuta 7:29PM (1/06/2009)
I think It must be Mitsubishi Evolution...
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