Boasting a beautiful blend of supermini and high-performance hatchback qualities, the S1 features a stylish design and performance capabilities that are not for the faint-hearted.

The good

Looks, styling and performance

The bad

In a fiercely competitive segment

Tech Specs

Price from

£25,420

Combined Fuel up to

40.4mpg

0-62 from

5.8 seconds

max speed up to

155mph

co2 from

162g/km

Test Drive

Audi S1 2.0 TFSI quattro 231PS 6-speed manual

Audi’s performance three-door hot hatch S1 model is total proof that great things can indeed come in small packages.

For this compact model, which builds on the achievements of the award-winning A1 line-up, offers all the athletic styling associated with the German marque’s ’S’ range and plenty of dynamics along the way. It’s the perfect mix of pace, power, stability and appeal.

For example, it features quattro permanent all-wheel drive, S sports suspension with variable damper control, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear LED lights and an LED interior lighting package. The test car sat on large 18-inch alloys and another eye-catching feature were the red brake calipers along with the larger-than-life trapezoidal grille proudly housing the Audi badge. And to ensure it doesn’t go unnoticed, the S1 is available in some not-to-be-missed bold colours too.

The interior is generously-equipped and screams premium quality from the second you take your position in the fine nappa leather seats. There are techno treats galore to be explored including the likes of a BOSE surround sound system, heated front seats, sat nav, a clear touchscreen with Audi Music Interface and connectivity with all modern multi-media devices.

But for me, the truly impressive factor is that the S1 has performance capabilities to match its athletic appearance and character. From a standing start the car can sprint to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds thanks to the 2.0-litre turbocharged 231PS petrol-powered engine delivering 370Nm of torque. It tops out at 155mph and can deliver combined fuel economy of 40.4mpg with carbon emissions of 162g/km. The test car was priced at £24,730 but a number of optional extras saw the price-tag rise to £30,840.

Comfort levels are generally very high, although legroom in the rear is a tad limited which in fairness to Audi, is the norm for this class of vehicle. That said; you won’t hear any complaints from youngsters travelling in the back of an S1 as it certainly earns them lots of street cred points on the school run.

There are plenty of convenient storage compartments scattered throughout the car and the boot can accommodate 210 litres of luggage – a capacity that is increased to 860 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

So onto the car’s performance. When driven carefully, the S1 can be a sensible vehicle but flick through the drive modes from Efficiency and Auto until you reach Dynamic and it unleashes a completely different animal. The entire driving dynamics become a lot more aggressive with an edgier feel and it’s great to explore the car’s potential on some quiet country lanes where long sweeping bends can be conquered with ease … at pace!

The six-speed manual gearbox is slick and very responsive and there is a constant supply of power on tap which helps make light work of overtaking at short notice. In addition, the road-holding and precise steering also deserve recognition as they help to make the S1 the complete package.

There is a little road and engine noise when the car is pushed hard, but in quieter conditions, the car’s insulation helps to keep the cabin nicely protected from the outside world’s noisy interruptions.

And being an Audi, the S1 is kitted out with all the latest safety innovations to help protect occupants and help prevent accidents occurring in the first place.

All in all, the S1 is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone lucky to get behind its steering wheel. The A1 is a fabulous car, but the S1 is like a pumped up version on performance-enhancing steroids.

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