Sign in

(19)

---

Audi is launching a high-performance version of its A1 baby car, but it won't wear S1 badges. Other S-series Audis have four-wheel drive, but the A1 1.4 TFSi 185PS is front-driven.

Powered by a turbo and surpercharged petrol engine, shared with the VW Polo GTi but said to be upgraded to further increase performance, the high-power A1 will use electronic stability technology to control the 183bhp.

The high-performance baby car will have lowered suspension and bigger wheels and tyres to cope with a sub-seven-second 0-62mph time and 140mph+ top speed.

The A1 is the smallest Audi since the alloy-bodied, five-door A2, which had limited sales thanks to it being costly to build and buy. However, examples now have a firm used following and still command strong residuals.

The steel-bodied A1 is aimed at a bigger, well-defined lifestyle market and will give Audi a rival to models like the Mini Cooper and Citroen DS3.

The A1 1.4 TFSi 185 makes its first public appearance at the Paris motor show.

(19)