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Audi S1 Sportback 2014 review

EXPERT RATING
8
On the face of it, Audi’s S1 Sportback is yet another niche-within-niche model from a maker that can’t create enough of them.

There’s nothing quite like this little ball of all-paw fire. It’s just what we’ve been waiting for - a $50K hot city car with all-wheel-drive. On the face of it, Audi’s S1 Sportback is yet another niche-within-niche model from a maker that can’t create enough of them. But when you consider it runs the same powerplant as the $60,000 S3, well, it might be that Audi’s smallest sports model is its most potent.

VALUE

Standard fare looks set to include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, sports seats, stainless steel pedal covers, flat-bottomed sports leather steering wheel with audio, cruise and phone controls, dual-zone climate control, two-stage seat heaters, Audi’s MMI cable iPod integration (in the glovebox) and rain-sensing wipers. Leather trim is on the options list in its home market but expect Australian S1 Sportbacks to carry it as standard, along with satnav and the up-spec Bose audio.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

The direct and port injection variable-valve 2.0-litre turbo four has been handed (and wound) down from the larger S3, dropping to 170kW but with torque unchanged at 380Nm. That said, don’t be surprised if the power gets wound back again up to beyond S3 levels in the form of an RS1. Geneva show cars with engines from the same family are claimed to have more than 300kW.

For now the S1 is going to be specced only as a six-speed manual, although Audi says its twin-clutch S tronic might be considered if demand warrants it. The six-speed is a nice manual gearbox, not rifle-bolt sharp in action but there’s no rubbery feel to the change.

The mainstream A1’s torsion beam rear end makes way for a four-link rear suspension, which (along the clutch pack for rear drive) takes away the spare tyre. Also standard fare is the Audi drive select dynamic handling system that adjusts the damper settings, as well as the engine note between Dynamic, Efficient (which seems to be the Comfort mode in terms of ride) and Auto.

DESIGN

The S1 Sportback is longer and taller than the equivalent A1. There are tweaks to the grille, front and rear bumpers and it adds roof spoiler, rear diffuser, quad tail pipes and an alloy-look exterior mirror cowling. All of these - along with the more purposeful tune it hums - suggest it’s anything but a shopping trolley.

The cabin layout is familiar, user-friendly for the most provides 210L in five-seat form or 860L if you are two-up. Front occupants get good headroom, with no sunroof intruding, but the two (yes, two) rear occupants will need short and/or sympathetic folk ahead of them if they want any room to move.

SAFETY

Five stars and airbags galore, as well as the inherent safety of AWD, plus the variable stability control with what Audi terms “wheel-selective torque control” (it brakes the inside wheels as required for better turn-in) as well as the electronic diff lock, both of which remain in action when the stability control is switched off. The stopping power has been improved with a larger brake master cylinder and bigger (310mm) front discs.

DRIVING

There’s nothing like a bit of snow and ice to make life interesting behind the wheel but if you’re rolling on studded tyres and running all-wheel drive it can be something of an anticlimax. The newest and cheapest Audi hot hatch traverses the unremarkable Swedish roads - awash with snow and ice - without any great concern, apart from the obvious increase in tyre noise.

The impact of no more than 50 per cent of drive going to the rear wheels gives the driver no concerns, although some late navigational changes do. The weight is still more in the snout - despite Audi’s stated aim to offset that by using only the 20kg lighter six-speed manual and putting the Haldex clutch pack in the rump.

The nose - in the far from ideal driving conditions - can run wide but for the most part the driver can minimise such behaviour. Even on a frozen lake, it takes ham-fisted efforts to push the snout into the snow, but driven sensibly (even with electronics in snooze mode) proficient progress around the ice track can be made.

Audi is claiming a far from sluggish 5.9 second sprint to 100km/h and a thirst (when not testing that sprint claim) of 7.1L/100km - nothing from the first drive suggests that there’s anything optimistic about either number.

Verdict

A super-swift city slicker that’s built with a fun factor and has no absolute direct competitors, the S1 Sportback deals with mundane and mutated road surfaces and feels capable of carving up more than the snow-covered frozen lakes.

Audi S1 Sportback 
Price: from $50,000 (est)
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Capped servicing: No
Resale: N/A
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 170kW/380Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man; AWD
Thirst: 7.1L/100km, 166g/km CO2
Dimensions: 4m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.4m (H)  
Weight: 1340kg
Spare: None

Pricing guides

$21,175
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$18,700
Highest Price
$23,650

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
Sportback 2.0 TFSI Quattro 2.0L, PULP, 6 SP MAN $18,700 – 23,650 2014 Audi S1 2014 Sportback 2.0 TFSI Quattro Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
8
Stuart Martin
Contributing Journalist

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