Photo: RM.Design
The new Audi S1 might seem like an insignificant little product from Audi, the least powerful and smallest of all the S models at 231 hp. However, it's had a tremendous impact on the Audi brand, especially in Germany, where the S1 helped A1 sales grow by a quarter.
Not surprisingly, people want even more power from German pocket rockets now. The RS1 seems like the next logical step and this fresh rendering shows us what we could expect from quattro in the coming years. It's been created by RM.Design, using the design language of the RS6 and some of Audi's recent show concepts.
With two officials already talking about the RS1, it's all too easy to presume that Audi is already developing it. But we think this would
be too much of a niche car to justify mass production. Remember, even the RS3 was a limited production car that not too many people were willing to buy.
There is, however, a reason for Audi to at least consider limited production. That reason comes in the form of the possibly upcoming MINI JCW GP III. MINI has always stuck the GP badge on its more radical, track focused hatchbacks and the third incarnation might arrive with 250 hp in the next few years. Having a bigger 2-liter engine at its disposal, raising the output to Ford Focus ST levels should be relatively easy for MINI, especially since a 245 hp version is longitudinally fitted to BMW 28i models.
To battle that, Volkswagen group already has a 280 hp version of that four-cylinder turbo that's ready and willing to serve. Anything more than that will probably be overkill. And if you don't think 280 hp in a 4-meter long car is enough, then consider this: between 1985 and 1989, the 328 was the pinnacle of Ferrari V8 technology, but it only mustered 270 hp.
It's Possible
During a recent interview with Australian magazine Motoring, Audi S1 designer Frank Gruner stated that an RS1 version is possible. Also asked about the car, Ulrich Weirl, team leader in the technical development of the Audi S1, said a more powerful 2-liter from the EA888 can be fitted into the little A1 body.With two officials already talking about the RS1, it's all too easy to presume that Audi is already developing it. But we think this would
There is, however, a reason for Audi to at least consider limited production. That reason comes in the form of the possibly upcoming MINI JCW GP III. MINI has always stuck the GP badge on its more radical, track focused hatchbacks and the third incarnation might arrive with 250 hp in the next few years. Having a bigger 2-liter engine at its disposal, raising the output to Ford Focus ST levels should be relatively easy for MINI, especially since a 245 hp version is longitudinally fitted to BMW 28i models.
To battle that, Volkswagen group already has a 280 hp version of that four-cylinder turbo that's ready and willing to serve. Anything more than that will probably be overkill. And if you don't think 280 hp in a 4-meter long car is enough, then consider this: between 1985 and 1989, the 328 was the pinnacle of Ferrari V8 technology, but it only mustered 270 hp.
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