Sizzling Audi S1 Sportback

It was not only a case of sharp handling or top quality feel, it was the whole package.

So I was quite excited to attach my Racelogic road test equipment to our S1 Sportback test car and head off to Gerotek for a nice fast and early start to the year. It started off great, as the compact hatch ran to a true top speed of 252.77km/h at 6 300rpm in sixth with the speedo reading 264km/h.

But when it came to running the standing start sprints my work day really began: Audi claims 0-100km/h in 5.9 second for the S1 and how hard can it be to get there? Switch the nannies off and dial in

4 000rpm – the max the car would allow while stationary – and drop the clutch. Nothing happens. The car bogs as the rev counter drops to idle before climbing again and all your potential all-wheel drive quattro momentum is killed right there.

Attempt launch method two: dial in some rpm and try and slip the clutch this time to get the S1 off the line – and again not much happens as the rev counter drops to idle before making off. I am not sure why you would give a car plenty power, plenty grip and then not allow the driver to use it off the line.

It is right about now I truly shout out for the merits of launch control that ensures these powerful cars get off the line in a way no human can replicate on an everyday basis. The S1 only comes in manual, so the only way I could launch the Audi was by gently releasing the clutch at just above idle and as the revs started to take, floored the accelerator.

This all said, the car still got to 100km/h in a quick 6.41 seconds, while crossing the quarter mile mark in 14.47 seconds at 161.49km/h and the 1km mark in 26.03 seconds at 206.88km/h. Not quite as quick as claimed, but still quick enough to see off the likes of GTI, OPC or ST.

The other positive is this is not done at the expense of fuel consumption. The 2.0 litre FSI turbocharged engine that delivers 170kW of power and 370Nm of torque is said to only consume 7.1 litres/100 km and there was a time or two I came close to this number. But for the most part it was just over 8.0 litres/100 km and eventually settled on 8.7, which included the performance testing.

So, mechanically, even at a selling price of R449 500, the Audi S1 delivers the goods, especially when you add the surefooted feel of quattro to the equation and the stan-dard full house range of onboard luxury and class.

I have to say I would prefer an S tronic option to choose from if I was shopping in this league.

The car gives us a glimpse of the facelift that will be applied across the A1 range in the near future. Sharper lines and some tell-tale Audi S car signature features such as quad tailpieces and grey instrumentation colouring complete a smart look.

If you like your fun in a compact and potent package, finished off with high quality materials, you must check out the Audi S1.