Audi launched the new Audi S1 in South Africa during a track session at a revived Kyalami race circuit. The S1 will line up as the premier, top of the range model in the A1 range. It’s also the only vehicle in the supermini market that can boast all-wheel drive handling credentials. It wasn’t easy to get all-wheel drive into such a small platform, hence why it’s taken Audi three years to introduce its top model.

Manual only

The reason why it’s taken so long to get the S1 into the Audi range is because the platform the A1 runs on was only ever meant for small front-wheel drive vehicles. When Audi decided to reignite the S1 moniker they penned in all-wheel drive as a must-have. The S1 then has an A1 chassis at the front and then a heavily modified rear end that has had to fit a propshaft and a rear axle capable of handling 50-percent of the maximum torque. Space became an issue and that’s why the S1 is only offered in a manual six-speed gearbox, the S-tronic just wouldn’t fit.

Detuned S3 Motor

The 2-litre turbo engine from the S3 and Golf R makes a return in the S1 but ina lesser state of tune. It puts out 170 kW, but matches the 370 Nm of torque that its big brothers have. That decrease in power doesn’t mean that it lacks any go, it feels fast due to its small frame but still weighs just over 1300kg. Zero to 100kph takes 5.8 seconds and the S1 will run all the way to 250kph if allowed. All that torque available is impressive on freeway runs, overtaking in sixth gear from 100kph upward happens immediately, in that regard it’s a particularly easy car to drive at speed.

New Kits

The S1 gets xenon plus headlights in the front and a new set of LED lights at the rear. The front and rear bumpers have also been modified to give the S1 a more aggressive look whilst the rear end houses four tailpipes for good measure. The interior has its own unique style with a special sports seat as standard but the optional colour matched inserts are a real standout. There was a yellow S1 with colour matching inserts in the back of the seats that looked particularly impressive, so if you want the optional seats go for a strong colour to make them really standout. The pedals are stainless steel and perfectly positioned for the easiest of heal-and-toe manoeuvres.

Track Handling

Whilst it’s particularly difficult to get a road car to handle on track the S1 makes for a fun car on circuit. Its short wheelbase and clever electronic diff work to create better initial turn-in in a lift-off oversteer type way. From then on you wait until it’s time to plant your right foot again and the diff makes sure the power gets sent to the right places. The all-wheel drive system combined with the torque-heavy engine do a good job of holding a tight line. The brakes have been uprated for the S1 but lack initial bite and feel.

Audi S1 Competitors

Audi considers its products as premium purchases so the price will no doubt match that notion. There are just 75 S1 models available to South Africa although if they are scooped up quickly enough, this could be increased to 100. Competitors for the S1 are quite difficult to pick but I don’t think you could discount something like a Mini Cooper S on size and power specs, also it’s not priced too far away from an S3 or a Golf R for that matter.

Pricing for Audi S1:

Audi S1 3-door R442000

Audi S1 Sportback R449 500