Audi Exec Says New S1 Hot Hatch Might Not Happen After All

Last summer, we published a report about a hot version of the second-gen A1, dubbed the S1, coming in late 2019.

However, Audi’s head of communication, Peter Oberndorfer, told CarAdvice that such a model is not on the cards.

“Honestly, it’s difficult with that platform, it’s difficult. This was quite an investment. You remember the first series of the A1 Quattro was very expensive to build”, said Oberndorfer.

“The S1 was also not easy to do because it was done later, it was not originally on the platform. It was quite an investment. It was a great car, I had one in my house, but nowadays we have to focus more and more [on other developments] and it’s getting more and more difficult.”

Also Watch: EVO Says the Audi S1 Is in a Class of its Own

The Audi official suggested that the new A1 40 TFSI could remain the range-topping version of the car. It uses the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the outgoing Volkswagen Polo GTI, making 200 PS (197 hp / 147 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque, and sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 6.5 seconds.

The previous report suggested the new Audi S1 would make use of an even more powerful 2-liter four-banger, rated at approximately 250 PS (246 hp / 184 kW), and the Haldex-based Quattro all-wheel drive system. Performance wise, it would’ve been quicker than its predecessor, which churned out 231 PS (228 hp / 170 kW) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque and hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds.

Alas, unless Audi changes its mind down the road, it won’t get a successor as the company is focusing on new technologies such as electrification.

H/T to Mike Stevens