Audi S1 quattro for Oz

Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the fiesty new S1 quattro hot hatch here in the third quarter of this year.

Revealed this morning ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show next month, the S1 will top the German brand’s pint-size A1 model range at about $50,000 plus on-road costs.

However, the hottest version of Audi’s smallest model will only be available here in one specification – the five-door S1 Sportback quattro hatch, fitted with a six-speed manual transmission.

Audi Australia says the S1 quattro will be offered here with a high level of standard equipment, but it’s yet to be confirmed if it will come with European options such as variable-rate dynamic dampers, MMI Plus navigation and Bose surround sound.

As we’ve reported, Audi’s smallest S model – like all A1s – is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Polo but employs a new 2.0-litre turbo engine, new rear suspension, new all-wheel drive system and new steering, wrapped in the sportiest body kit seen on an A1.

The headline act is a 170kW/370Nm version of Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which accelerates the five-door to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds (one tenth more than the sub-1100kg three-door) and the same 250km/h top speed as the three-door.