Taking the idea of a hot hatch to all-new levels, Audi has released the first pictures of its latest A1, which comes complete with quattro all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 252bhp.
Audi says that it is staking a claim to build "the most powerful and fastest accelerating car of its kind ever created", which it should achieve thanks to peak power at 6,000rpm being backed up by 258lb ft of torque between 2,500-4,500rpm. As a result, 0-62mph can be covered in 5.7sec, while the top speed of this pocket rocket is 152mph.
The petrol engine, taken from Audi's own S3, features high pressure injection, an adjustable intake camshaft and twin balancer shafts, and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. In normal driving conditions the three-door A1 quattro can return a claimed 33.2mpg on the Combined cycle, with most of the engine's power sent to the front wheels. However, an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch (located on the rear axle to help manage weight distribution in what, despite being 33mm longer than a standard A1, is still a small car) can send power to the rear wheels in milliseconds if sensors detect it is required. In addition, an electronic differential lock can brake one wheel on either axle if it detects it is losing grip. Production of the A1 quattro is limited to just 333 models, each of which will be finished in Glacier white metallic and be available in left-hand drive only. Upgrades over a standard A1 include 18in "turbine design" wheels, a large two-tone rear wing and new bumpers front and rear.