Audi A1 Sport arrives in Oz

The vanilla flavoured Audi A1, launched in December 2010, is already selling in similar numbers to the MINI Cooper models - and Audi expects its new go-fast model to bolster those sales.

Powered by one of the most advanced four-cylinder engines on the market, the new Audi A1 Sport trumps its MINI arch-rival by matching its turbocharged engine and raising it with a supercharger.

Priced from $42,500, the Audi A1 Sport comes standard with 17-inch wheels, a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox, and importantly it's more powerful than the MINI Cooper S - if only by one kilowatt.

Audi Australia's managing director, Uwe Hagen, said the company expects to sell 35 to 40 A1 Sports per month, unhindered by the supply issues experienced by its cousin, the Volkswagen Polo GTI which is priced from $27,790.

"We sold 180 A1 cars in May, and that was with just one engine type," the Audi chief said. "This expertly executed Sport model will expand the A1's appeal and provide even more excitement for those customers who desire performance in a compact, yet entirely premium package."

The A1 Sport is powerd by a 1.4-litre TFSI engine, which it shares with the hard to get Polo GTI . This compact four-cylinder engine features intercooled twincharging technology, leveraging two types of forced induction -- turbocharging and supercharging -- to improve power output.

Peak power of 136kW is achieved at 6200rpm while torque of 250Nm hits the skids at 2000rpm and is sustained until 4500rpm; enough herbs to see it race to 100km/h from rest in a claimed 6.9 seconds.

And while the smallest Audi has been fitted with a hum-dinger of an engine, it's still light on its feet, with a claimed fuel economy rating of 5.9L/100km and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.

The standard equipment list mirrors that of some larger prestige vehicles, including xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, a 6.5-inch pop-out colour screen, Bluetooth connectivity, light and rain sensors, interior LED ambient lighting, plus an S line ground effects body kit and rear roof spoiler.

The chassis has been upgraded to complement the high-tech direct injection engine, with a sports suspension package included as standard. The A1 Sport is slightly wider thanks to an increased track which, along with wider tyres fitted on larger 17x7.5-inch wheels has been engineered to improve cornering stability.

Awarded with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Audi A1 Sport includes ABS, electronic stability control, six airbags as standard, including head airbags for front and rear passengers, plus belt tension limiters and integral head restraints.

"With a powerful yet efficient engine, sports-tuned chassis and the quality and technology expected of an Audi, it is sure to take the segment by storm," added Hagen.

Stay tuned for our road (and track) test of the of the Audi A1 Sport.

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