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Audi RS1 firms up
The next logical step in the Audi A1 range is a rip-roaring 206kW Audi RS1The 170kW Audi S1 quattro is currently being launched to the global motoring press in Sweden and is coming to Australia in July 2014 for around $50K, and early indications are that the car is very capable and loads of fun to drive.
But what if Audi decided to up the ante and boost the current car's 170kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine to bang out even more juju, creating an Audi A1 Clubsport or perhaps even an Audi RS1?
Although the German company's executives were cautious in their responses when questioned on the topic of an even more powerful S1 model, it's clear the company has the technical expertise to do it.
Ulrich Weirl, a team leader in the technical development of the Audi S1's EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, says more powerful variants could be shoe-horned into the A1's tiny engine bay.
"The engine can get more power clearly, because it comes from the 888 family. The 888 family motor is also in the S3, which has more power," he told motoring.com.au.
Indeed, the S3's engine pumps out 36kW and 10Nm more than the S1, thanks to a bigger turbocharger and intercooler, hiking power to 206kW/380Nm. In the S3 it results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.5 seconds, three tenths faster than the S1.
Asked if we'll see a more powerful S1 model, Weirl said it was too early to say.
"In general it's possible, but we don’t think about giving it more [power] yet, we're quite satisfied with the current power," he stated.
That could change later in 2014 however, as will be more powerful with its own all-new 180kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Granted, it might not be as quick as the S1 because it's likely to be front-wheel drive and miss out on the extra traction generated by the all-wheel drive Audi, but the MINI will snag bragging rights nonetheless.
Of course there's another, wilder proposition for a potential Audi RS1, and that's the completely mad 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Audi TT quattro Sport concept car, first shown at the 2014 Geneva motor show.
That engine pumps out a ballistic 309kW of power, and is technically still a prototype powerplant, although it's very likely to make its debut in a track-ready Clubsport version of the Audi TT in the near future.
"We cannot say with all confidence that this motor could be placed in this vehicle [S1] because we haven't had a look at this," stated Weirl.
Perhaps more interesting is that the Audi S1's designer, Frank Gruner, grinned when motoring.com.au asked if he was now working on the Audi RS1 exterior design. He didn't say anything to the contrary, merely a three word response: "Wait and see".
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Written byFeann Torr
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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