Autocar is so certain that Audi will whip up an “S”-badged version of its forthcoming A1 city car, they’re touting specs and renderings of a car that will make hot hatch lovers weak in the knees. The S1 will compete with such miniscule forces of nature as the JCW Mini and Alfa MiTo by offering 200hp, 300nm and AWD. In a package that makes the GTI look like a lumbering beast. A tuned version of the turbo- and super-charged 1.4 TFSI engine that is drawing rave reviews from European buff-books will hook up to a seven speed dual-clutch box, sending 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels. Zero to 60 should come in six seconds, reckons Autocar, while the top speed will be limited at 155 mph. And fuel consumption should stay around the 30 mpg (US) range. Throw in lowered and magnetically-damped suspension, 19 inch wheels, S-line visual cues and a possible cell phone integration option (ala KEI), and Autocar’s verdict that the S1 will be a “technological tour de force” is hard to argue with. Of course this means the price of admission is steep. $36k (25k Pounds Sterling) is a brutal entry point for a hot hatch, even if it packs more technology than an F-16. And then there’s the question of whether it will be sold in the US. Or at all, given the state of the economy. On paper though, the S1 is a near apotheosis of the hot-hatch form. I’ll take two.
$36K?!
Thanks Europe, but no thanks. You have fun with that little bugger.
That is some serious coin for a hot hatch. If the R32 already gets skewered for its $33K starting point, I don’t see how this will do better despite the badge.
That would be Alfa MiTo not Alpha…! To be more precise say “Alfa Romeo”
Otherwise, I’m not to thrilled with the car, a hot hatch, even in europe, shouldn’t cost $36K or 30K€ or what ever… that’s real sports car territory. But seeing the competition, I guess there is a market for that kind of car. Perhaps it’s just resentment on my part that I can only afford the hot hatches of the Twingo and 500 variety.
As for the technology 1.4 TFSI sounds good, The 7speed dual clutch transmission sounds super, but I’d prefer a clutch. But what I would like to know is how much this thing will weigh. As a new owner of a slightly used A2 1.6FSI, I am loving the 1000kg chassis.
36k with german repair prices…? Thanks, I’ll pass.
If I was going to spend that much, I’d rather throw down a couple more $K and get an elise.
virages: My bad, obviously. Text amended.
$36K? It seems the “direct translation of car prices from foreign currencies”
FYI: The spec-comparable UK R32 to the $33K US version is over 26k GBP.
Yeah but it will also weigh 3800lbs.
So it’s nearly twice the cost of a GTI with identical peformance and economy numbers? Brilliant!
virages :
Perhaps it’s just resentment on my part that I can only afford the hot hatches of the Twingo and 500 variety.
What’s wrong with those cars? Have you seen the shit Americans have to contend with?
I’d probably take an A3 2.0T instead and save a few thousand, and have room for my skis. Something about a turbocharged and supercharged VW mill scares me – how is that engine going to hold up in 5 years, after they hit the used market and rack up some miles?
These types of cars are great to lust for but very difficult to actually purchase and own.
$36K base for a hatchback that has little real-world usability and probably visits the dealer every month seems like quite a barrier for most consumers.
This is very angry looking parody of Mini. You have to posses a unique combination of being both rich and stupid to desire this thing.
I paid 22 for a use A3 and all my big car/truck friends think I’m nuts as it is. Face it Americans think small cars are economy cars.
I have a ’99 A4, ’04 A4 and ’02 A6. The new ’09 A4 is the old A6 in size complexity and price. I’ve been looking at A3s but I would surely look at an A1 or S1. Audis have done pretty well in 2008 despite being high priced. Just make sure you really want one to avoid the outsized depreciation hit.
They couldn’t sell fewer of these than they do of that ugly wart Q7.
The BMW 135i looks better and better all the time.
The money I save with the less expensive BMW can go towards making up the difference in fuel economy.
All this coin and “technology” for a car that can’t even outrun an Evo or Sti? WTF?
I have an A3, and it’s the smallest thing that I am comfortable in. So no thanks to the S1, maybe an S3 instead?
virages: A2=1000kg chassis? I am so envious.
36k is ridiculous. For that cash I’d shell out the extra 5k and get a 335i
If you are going to put on performance equipment so that the price moves that far north, then the performance better be there. Given the price, I can’t see how they sell so many A3’s already.
If that price equated to free for the first 3 year service with approval and the lowest insurance rate in its class it would be a steal. But unfortunately its not the case.
I am not sure about the pricing. British prices do not translate into US for a couple of reasons.
First UK prices include about 20% tax.
Second, for continental mfgs. need to make limited runs with RHD. (Japanese home market covers that, but continental companies have limited access).
Something you have got to remember about UK pricing is that compared to the rest of Europe is that the UK has relativley lower tax than other countries. Therefore the motor manufactures, to make up their losses in high tax countries charge more pre-tax for a vehicle in the UK. Look at the amount of imported cars brought into the UK. Then the manufacturers said we will not gaurentee them. The EU then said this is illegal so the manufactures said OK no problem, we will increase the price. Ergo end of the grey import market. For example a Renault Megane Coupe £15000 in Northern Ireland, imported from Republic of Ireland £10000 all taxes paid. Who loses? Not the companies, not the EU but the consumer. Check out how MB etc instructed their dealers in Europe to refuse any orders for RHD vehicles and this caused the EU to react.
Trying to compare US and Europe prices is futile because somehow a vehicle with a base base price of $10000 becomes £20000 or euro 20000.
ps sorry about the spelling
Oh gawd, that thing is ugly.