Audi S1 & S1 Sportback revealed with 228bhp (+video)

The Audi S1 Quattro has been revealed as a 228bhp pocket rocket with a six-speed manual ‘box, as a three-door or five-door Sportback.

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Audi has been threatening a quattro driven A 1 as a full production model ever since the limited edition A1 Quattro arrived two years ago with 252bhp and a very big price tag. An now we get it.

The new Audi S1 has been revealed ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and it gets quattro 4WD just like the A1 Quattro, even if it has to make do with less power – the S1 delivers 228bhp and 237lb/ft of torque from its 2.0 litre turbo – that’s less bhp but more torque than the A1 quattro managed.

Equipped as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, the S1 can get to 62mph in 5.8 seconds (5.9s for the Sportback), has a two-stage stability control system to improve traction and is limited to 155mph. Official economy is 40.4mph (39.8mpg for the Sportback).

The S1 gets a tweaked version of the A1’s MacPherson Strut suspension at the front and four link setup at the back as well as new settings for the electromechanical steering and bigger brakes.

Cosmetically, the S1 comes with a new bodykit for added butchness and you can also option a quattro styling package as well as new paint jobs including the Vegas Yellow on the launch car (above).

Inside is pretty much a sea of black, broken up with grey dials and a splash of body colour paint, with sports seats as standard.

Standard spec for the UK will include 17″ alloys (18″ are speccable), variable damper control, Audi’s Drive Select, Xenon headlights and LED tail lights.

The Audi S1 and S1 Sportback will debut at the Geneva Motor Sow next month and go on sale straight away, with UK prices of £24,900 for the S1 and £25,630 for the S1 Sportback.