What’s hot?
- The S1 supermini builds on the standard car’s reputation for its premium build quality and image. The bodykit, bigger wheels and sportier interior touches make the S1 an even more attractive buy.
- With 228bhp from the latest version of the 2.0-litre turbo, the S1 never feels short of go. Happy to rev, it pulls hard right from the off and feels quickest in the mid-range. It is well-matched to the six-speed manual transmission too.
Audi quality inside, but expect to pay Audi prices for the inevitable extras - The genius of the standard quattro four-wheel drive. A proper multi-plate system, it splits the engine’s torque 60:40 front to rear. When wheelspin is detected, 50% of the drive is sent to the rear, meaning the back end of the S1 always feels well tied down.
- With all the grip from the four-wheel drive system, virtually no body roll and direct steering, the S1 is great fun to drive.
- It may be a hot hatch, but the S1’s ride is well-judged. Yes it feels sportily firm, but not uncomfortable.
- If you want to run the Audi S1 as a company car, it falls into the 24% company car tax band for 2014/15. Not exactly rock bottom, but pretty good for the level of performance.
- It has giant-killing performance, but the S1 is still capable of 40.4mpg economy, or 39.8mpg for the more practical five-door Sportback.
What’s not?
- Yes it has excellent performance, but space in the rear is tight. The Sportback’s extra doors help, but it doesn’t look as good in our opinion.
- Boot space isn’t the biggest either at 270 litres, but there is the practicality of a folding rear seat.
- The S1 may have quad rear exhaust pipes, but buyers looking for a charismatic engine note would be best to look elsewhere.
- The S1’s image and quality is top notch, but add a couple of options on top of the significant list price and it soon adds up. Both the review cars we tried were priced at over £33k.
