Audi has launched the all-new S1 Sportback to the media, reviving the revered S1 monicker – a legend of the Group B rally days.

AUDI HAS REVIVED the legendary S1 monicker for its smallest performance car, the all-new S1 Sportback ($49,990+ORC), which was revealed overnight in Tasmania at the national media launch.

In the 1980s, the Audi Sport quattro S1 was a legend of the Group B World Rally Championship. “The S1 name is regarded with a certain kind of reverence within Audi,” said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.

“The Sport quattro S1 represents such an important part of our racing heritage, and the Audi brand itself, that for a new model to rekindle the same nameplate is very special indeed.”

The new Audi S1 Sportback runs a 2.0-litre TFSI engine producing 170kW and 370Nm. It is available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, and is paired with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive technology. It’s capable of running from rest to 100km/h in just 5.9secs and returns a combined 7.1L/100km.

The S1 Sportback is the only A1 to feature quattro all-wheel drive, and it also gets a unique four-link rear suspension setup. Indeed, the steering and suspension setup have been tuned for performance applications, including switchable dampers that are controlled by the Audi Drive Select system. An active exhaust system is fitted as standard, where flaps open in the exhaust system to produce more sound under full throttle and in ‘dynamic’ mode.

As standard, the S1 Sportback features:

• 17-inch alloy wheels in 5-parallel spoke design;
• Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running light and LED rear lights;
• MMI Navigation plus, with 20GB hard drive and 2 x SDHC card slots;
• Sports seats in combination of cloth and leather, with ‘S1’ embossing;
• Pedals and footrest in stainless steel;
• Audi parking system, rear;
• Audi sound system, with 180w, 10 speakers inc. subwoofer and 6-channel amplifier;
• Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming;
• Auto-dimming interior mirror;
• Automatic air conditioning; and
• Light and rain sensor.

Extra-cost option kits:

• S performance package – $4990
• 18-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm facet design contrasting grey, partly polished;
• Front brake calipers in S design red;
• S sport front seats;
• Fine Nappa leather upholstery with S1 embossing in the front seatbacks;
• BOSE surround sound system; and
• Audi exclusive air vents in aluminium look.

quattro® exterior package – $3990 (not in conjunction with S performance package)

• Xenon headlights with red trim;
• Front brake calipers in S design red;
• 18-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm facet design matt black, partly polished;
• quattro roof spoiler;
• quattro logo on side; and
• Front bumper with aluminium-look spoiler lip.

quattro® interior package – $2490 (not in conjunction with S performance package)

• Centre console in high-gloss black, red or yellow;
• S sport seats in fine Nappa leather with back rest cover in either high-gloss black, red or yellow with quattro logo;
• Door armrest in fine Nappa leather in seat colour with contrasting stitching;
• Leather covered multi-function 3-spoke sports flat-bottomed steering wheel with S specific contrasting stitching;
• Air vent sleeves in high-gloss black with red inner ring; and
• Floor mats in black with contrasting double piping.

Our Paul Murrell attended the national launch and we’ll have our first impressions online shortly.