Autoblog

Are you the Audi S1?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi

The engineers at Audi look to be hard at work on a more potent version of the company's A1 hatchback. Spy photographers spotted this machine out on public streets for testing, and the presence of a set of quad exhaust out back leads us to believe this could be the rumored S1 model. It's unclear whether this machine will slot under the limited-edition 256-horsepower A1 Quattro or be sold as a less extreme version of the hottest of Audi hatches when that car's production slots fill up. Photographers report this is a gasoline-powered model, which means the company's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine is likely kicking behind the headlights.

If that's true, we can expect between 220 and 250 horsepower shuttled to all four wheels via the German automaker's Quattro all-wheel drive system. If you were wondering why Audi didn't use the S1 name for the A1 Quattro, you may very well be looking at the reason.

Are you the Audi S1? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Audi's A1 Quattro get thrashed on gravel roads

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Audi

German magazine Sport Auto got its mitts on an Audi A1 Quattro, then tested the limited-edition hot hatch for high speed and gravel prowess. With 252 horsepower and 258 pound-feet underhood from its 2.0 TSFI engine, it's slightly down on gumption from the 500-horsepower A1 Clubsport that Audi showed off at the Wörthersee and Le Mans last year, but the bewinged A1 Quattro will still get from standstill to 62 mph in 5.7 seven seconds and onto a GPS-indicated 257 kph (159 mph).

The A1 Quattro is a little longer than the traditional A1 and it will come packed with enhanced trim, a 456-watt stereo and metallic-white paint, but we're still awaiting the small detail of pricing. Only 333 examples are to be produced, and you can see one of them in the video below.

Continue reading Watch Audi's A1 Quattro get thrashed on gravel roads

Watch Audi's A1 Quattro get thrashed on gravel roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi creates limited edition, 252-hp A1 Quattro

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Christmas just came a few days early for Audi fans with the announcement of the A1 Quattro, a high-performance, limited-edition version of Audi's subcompact hatch.

As its name would imply, the A1 Quattro comes equipped with the automaker's legendary all-wheel-drive system, with power provided by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder used in the S3. The reworked mill puts out 252 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm - a boost of more than 70 hp and 74 lb-ft over the standard 1.4-liter A1.

A six-speed manual shuttles that power to a Haldex AWD setup and on to center-locking 17-inch wheels that ape the original 80s-era Quattro's style. There's no word on weight, but Audi claims the hi-po A1 will match the S3's 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds and top out at 152 mph.

In addition to grippy 225/35 R18 rubber, the wheel wells are filled with a modified MacPherson strut suspension in front and a multi-link setup out back, while the braking hardware has been upgraded with larger discs at all four corners with black painted calipers. The electromechanical steering has also been tweaked to provide a 14.8:1 ratio, the ESP has been modified for high-performance duty and a new electronically controlled differential lock will keep wheelspin at bay. Although Audi decided to keep the rear seats in place, the AWD components have reduced trunk space to 7.4 cubic feet - or 2.1 cubes less than the standard model. Not that you care.

The exterior speaks for itself, drawing cues from past Audi concepts and a few bits from the S and RS lines, while the interior receives a new instrument panel, aluminum pedals, seriously bolstered buckets and black leather with red contrast stitching.

The A1 Quattro is an S1 in everything but name, and it's set to go on sale later next year with only 333 units on offer. And naturally, the U.S. is left out. We're as irritated as you. Get even more disappointed by reading all the details in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Audi creates limited edition, 252-hp A1 Quattro

Audi creates limited edition, 252-hp A1 Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi unveils 500hp A1 Clubsport Quattro show car at Wörthersee

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 May 2011 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Audi, Misc. Auto Shows

Audi A1 clubsport quattro concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi and all-wheel drive go together like mothers and apple pie. The German automaker has cultivated its Quattro systems as emblematic of its raison d'etre, incorporating it into its rapidly expanding range... with one exception: the A1. But that's about to change.

After launching the diminutive hatchback in front-wheel-drive only, Audi is working on extending the traction to the rear wheels as well. And to give us an idea of what to expect, the company has launched the A1 Clubsport Quattro concept among the 18 vehicles on display at its annual celebration in Wörthersee.

The little beast is built around an extensively tuned 2.5-liter turbo five with just under 500 horsepower. Optimized by direct injection and channeled to all four wheels through a six-speed manual, Audi claims the concept can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in a scant 3.7 seconds, doubling that speed in 10.9 en route to an electronically limited, Autobahn-crunching top end of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The package is rounded out by an aggressive wide-body aerodynamic kit, decked out in matte white paint with a carbon-fiber roof, with a side-exit exhaust and 19-inch alloys. While the production A1 Quattro and the S1 or RS1 to follow isn't likely to pack the 500 horses of the show car, gamers can check it out in Need for Speed World for a limited time.

Audi has also released a series of visual mods - including decals and aero kits - for the existing A1 at the show. Want to read more? We've got the full press blast after the jump along, with an extensive batch of images in our high-resolution gallery.

Continue reading Audi unveils 500hp A1 Clubsport Quattro show car at Wörthersee

Audi unveils 500hp A1 Clubsport Quattro show car at Wörthersee originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A1 quattro works it out in the snow

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi

The Audi A1 quattro finally gets to play in the snow - Click above for high-res image gallery

The diminutive Audi A1 hatchback has had to watch as it's older siblings enjoyed all-weather fun thanks to their quattro all-wheel drive system. Now the previously front-drive-only three-door is set to join in on that fun. Audi wants to make sure every model is offered with the quattro system and testing has begun on a quattro-equipped A1.

The Audi A1 quattro is packed with technology akin to its TT and A3 siblings. An electronically-controlled, hydraulically-actuated clutch sits in front of the rear axle. This unit sends most of the power to the front wheels but can transfer torque to the rear should the front lose traction. get all the details in the press blast after the jump.

Gallery: Audi A1 quattro

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A1 quattro works it out in the snow

Audi A1 quattro works it out in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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