Audi S1 Sportback Review: 2.0 litre Quattro TFSI
What’s hot: Brilliant AWD handling and performance, jewel of an engine and classy interior.
What’s not: (Very little…) tight rear seats, no spare - just a bottle of goo.
X-FACTOR: At $49,990, this S-badge is suddenly within reach. And it might be small, but this little Audi is every inch the premium sports package.
Vehicle style: AWD premium hot-hatch
Price: $49,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine/transmission: 170kW/370Nm 2.0 litre 4cyl | 6spd manual
Fuel consumption listed: 7.1 l/100km | tested: 8.4 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Audi’s microbial new S1 Sportback rocket has hit the streets, and it’s a beauty.
Small, it is, but with 170kW and 370Nm to call on, six-speed manual and Quattro AWD, it packs an almighty wallop.
Better yet, it is the first-ever Audi S model to land in this market with a sub-$50k price (just, lay out fifty large and you’ll get all of ten bucks change).
At that price, it puts a serious performance car with a serious premium badge within reach of a whole new breed of buyers.
And, as Audi Australia boss Andrew Doyle confirmed, that’s the plan.
“We’re targeting a new buyer (with the S1). This car gives us an opportunity to nurture their passion for the Audi Sport brand,” he said.
We put the little steamer through its paces on a winding highway loop south of Hobart, then belted it around Tassie’s Baskerville racetrack.
Quite simply, we loved it. This is our report.
INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
At the ‘affordable’ end of the market, Audi blitzes the field for interior feel; the A1 and A3 are a class above when it comes to presentation and quality.
You would expect the S1 to be good then.
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