Fitting a 228hp all-wheel drive powertrain on a small car like the Audi A1 Sportback had some interesting results, besides the name change to Audi S1 Sportback.
It turned it into a quick car, able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, thanks in part to the engine’s peak torque of 370Nm (273lb-ft). Its 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed is worthy of a hot hatch too, as is its sharper body kit.
Carbuyer’s Mat Watson took the Audi S1 Sportback for a spin and didn’t find major issues with it. That’s if you don’t make a big deal out of losing 60 liters of the boot’s capacity to accommodate the Quattro all-wheel drive system – I know I wouldn’t mind that.
But a real issue is the price, as the Audi S1 Sportback costs over £26,000 in the UK, making it significantly more expensive than the more fun to drive Ford Fiesta ST and almost the same price as the larger, more powerful VW Golf R.