Monday 17th March 2014
Audi S1: Review
Hot Audis are famously hit and miss dynamically, so how does the S1 fare?
Probably fun here. We didn't get to find out
But that was always going to be a struggle with thebecause, to these eyes at least, it looks absolutely marvellous. The wheels are right out in the corners, the (optional) black roof gives the impressions of lowering the car and the black rear panel, a la A1 Quattro , is a great feature. Four exhausts remain wholly unnecessary and rather naff however.The good news continues inside because the S1 just gets the simple stuff right. The gearknob is just the right size, as is the wheel diameter and thickness. The three (yes three, the S1 is manual and manual only) stainless steel pedals are just where you want them from the off too; perhaps the seat could do with a little more support but that's a minor gripe. Best steer clear of the quattro interior styling package though, which colour codes the transmission tunnel and seat backs with the outside. Garish could be an understatement.
That'll be the improved 'spontaneity' then
He's called the StigGiven the effort Audi had gone to with the S1 launch (actual Stig Blomqvist was there, with road and rally-spec Sport Quattros too), the roads were a bit of a disappointment. Perhaps it was churlish to expect any more from Sweden but the initial 90km from airport to hotel (see it here ) revealed very little thanks to strictly enforced speed limits, lots of slush on the roads and vast open corners.
What's immediately apparent though is the S1's speed. It's a seriously quick little car. With only 1hp more than a Golf GTI Performance and, amazingly, another 39kg to carry around, it really shouldn't feel any faster on the road and yet it does. Lag disappears at about 1,800rpm and the S1 is pulling hard from about 2,500. Fairly short gearing only exaggerates the impression. Yes it lacks a bit of top-end ferocity, the power tailing off beyond 6,000rpm, but given the performance elsewhere that seems almost irrelevant. Is the S1 perhaps nearer the A1 Quattro's 256hp than Audi are letting on?
Moreover the noise is great, the four-cylinder turbo sounding far less synthesised than the both the Golf and. Maybe four pipes is a good idea...
Red in lights can be deleted. Phew.
Pipe dreamsAudi is particularly proud of the S1's standard-fit variable dampers with two modes and switchable through the Drive Select system. As appears to be the VW Group way, the difference between normal and dynamic is fairly subtle; the S1 is always firm, but dynamic mode doesn't ruin the ride despite further stiffening the dampers.
Furthermore there's no crash or thump despite a short wheelbase and the firm ride, the S1 remaining composed and flat in all circumstances we could throw at it. Dynamic mode is preferable as efficiency has a horribly spongy throttle response and it also adds a little more weight to the steering over auto. Never is the steering exactly communicative, but what did you expect?
Audi's original plan for the S1 was to show off its fancy new multi-link rear axle and 4WD (up to 50 percent of the power can go back) with some ice driving. Unfortunately, this wasn't possible due to Sweden's (relatively) mild weather. What we got instead was two laps of a tiny handling circuit behind an S3 saloon pace car. Brilliant.
We're all for brightening up interiors but...
Handling the disappointmentWhat did we find out? Perhaps most encouragingly of all, ESC off really does seem to mean off. And if it doesn't, it is hugely lenient! The modified pivot bearings and revised steering means the S1 is really keen to turn in without feeling nervous; coming off the throttle will see the front tighten its line or even bring the rear round slightly if enough speed is carried.
The brakes (310mm discs at the front 272mm at the rear) are strong and don't feel quite as grabby at top of the pedal as some other VW Group models can. The winter tyres may have lent the S1 an extra level of fun, but the early impressions of the S1's handling are very positive. The sense of agility and eagerness completely belies that rather podgy kerbweight.
Though a rather old-fashioned cliche, the S1 is a proper pocket rocket. But that has its downsides too, namely in terms of space. Though this is PH and not What Car?, a hot hatch should be able to cover all the bases all the time. The S1, with its tiny boot and quite cramped rear seats, can't really. A Leon Cupra 265 SC is just £790 more than the 3-door S1 and that will tick more boxes for more people. But on sheer fun and perhaps desirability the Audi may just have it. We can't wait to try one in the UK to know for sure.
AUDI S1
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual, 4WD
Power (hp): 231@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 272@1,600-3,000rpm
0-62mph: 5.8 seconds (Sportback 5.9)
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Kerbweight: 1,390kg (Sportback 1,415kg)
MPG: 40.3 (NEDC combined, Sportback 39.8)
CO2: 162g/km (Sportback 166g/km)
Price: £24,900 (Sportback £25,690)