quattro

With concepts like the 501bhp Clubsport quattro, Audi has always hinted at producing a high-performance version of the A1. So we were patiently waiting for the S1 to arrive when the German firm revealed this, the Audi A1 quattro.

It’s not the S1 we were expecting and nor is it the extreme RS1 but, instead, it seems to sit somewhere between the two. Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine found in the S3, which produces 252bhp. Combined with four-wheel drive and a low kerbweight, the A1 quattro can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.

According to our German sources, the A1 quattro only comes in the Clubsport quattro-inspired trim you see here. That includes the stylish alloys, white metallic paint, black roof and large rear spoiler. There’s no word on changes to the interior but expect high quality materials like carbon fibre, Alcantara and aluminium to feature.

For the time being the A1 quattro seems to be just a small limited-run model, produced in left-hand drive only to see if people will be willing to buy an RS1 model should it eventually go into full-scale production. An Audi insider told us a decision will be made in January as to whether right-hand-drive models will be built at all.

The latest reports suggest the A1 quattro will cost around £40,000 and will be available from the middle of 2012. The S1, with around 220bhp, will follow in the middle of 2013.