Audi Launches Limited Editon A1 Quattro Hot Hatch

Up until this point, Audi's A1 has been interesting, but not exciting.  The small avante-garde hatch, based on the VW Polo chassis, has enjoyed brisk sales in it's home country thanks to clever packaging and an appealing price.  But with engines topping out at a 185bhp 1.4 TFSI (like the one in the Skoda Fabia VRs our man Adnan test drove) and front-drive only, it's not really a hot hatch.  More like a warm hatch.

Well, Audi finally saw fit to fix that.  Meet the A1 Quattro, all 256bhp and 4 driven wheels of it.  This will be a limited-production model, but it lifts the A1's performance from "meh" to "Oh hi there, you're pretty.  I didn't catch your name!  You have plans later?"

Under the hood, the 1.4L engine is binned in favor of VW's ubiquitous 2.0L TFSI in Scirrocco/Golf R trim.  This turbo four is intercooled and features variable cam timing, to the effect of 256bhp at 6,000rpm, and 258lb-ft from 2,500-4,500rpm.  Thankfully they didn't try to harness the additional 70-odd horsepower with front-wheel-drive, as the A1 Quattro has a Haldex system distributing power to all four wheels.  Even better?  You have your choice of a 6-speed manual transmission, or a different car.

The stubby little pseudo-rally car will hit 100km/h in 5.7 seconds on it's way to 155mph, while averaging 8.5L/100km (or 27.7mpg in US terms.)  In addition to the bigger engine and Quattro setup (this being the only A1 with 4WD), the Quattro also gets a particularly bold exterior treatment.  It will only be available in Glacier White, with a contrasting Gloss Black roof.

The unique wheels are 18x8" with 225/35/18 performance tires, the fronts covering larger 12.3" ventilated discs.  Other special treatment outside includes red highlights in the headlights, Quattro badges, a two color wing, tinted windows and tail lights, and a diffuser-style rear bumper with twin polished exhaust tips poking through it.  Pretty evil looking, no?

The inside gets the menacing red treatment as well.  The tachometer is red, staring at the driver like the angry eye of Sauron behind the leather-wrapped flat bottom steering wheel.  There's red stitching everywhere, and a pair of S-Sport seats with larger bolsters hold the driver in place.  An aluminum shift knob matches the aluminum trim elsewhere in the cabin.  As a top of the range, limited-edition model the A1 comes standard with all sorts of goodies to make it a nice place to be.  SatNav, adaptive Xenon headlights, LED interior lighting, auto headlights and wipers, auto climate, rear parking sensors, and a 14-speaker 456w Bose system that will probably sound pretty good in the A1's tiny cabin.

Audi's only building 333 (half evil?) A1 Quattros, which will be available early next year.  The only questions are: how much will it cost, why can't we have one in the US, and why didn't they call it the S1?  High-res gallery below.