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Audi RS1 Will Have 220 HP

Audi’s A1 family will have a new member, as the RS1 compact hot-hatch should join the line in 2012, according to German magazine AutoBild. Audi is reportedly planning to fit the 2.0-liter from the current Golf GTI under the bonnet of the RS1.

The 2.0-liter TFSI engine will be retuned to produce 220 hp (162 kW), topping the Mini Cooper JCW’s 211 hp (155 kW), which will be Audi's main competitor. Volkswagen AG will convert its PQ25 platform in order to make an AWD RS1 together with the Polo R.

We can expect the new car to come in a two-door variant at first, with exterior features such as redesigned body kit, new exhaust tips and big wheels. Just like the other hot Audis, the RS1 will have a wide body kit and will feature small changes to the grill or mirrors. The 17-inch wheels, LED day lights and black headliner from the S-line A1 will most likely find their way into the RS1.

Audi originally planned to use a 1.4-liter TFSI engine to produce a front-wheel-drive S1 but has since dropped the idea, believing it was bad for the company's image. Skipping the S1 and going for a quattro RS1 might mean this will be a more performance oriented car, one that driving enthusiasts might enjoy more.

The car should be fitted with Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Given the power is similar to the Golf GTI, the 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint will be dealt with in a bit over 6 seconds. No word on pricing, though it should cost around the €25,000 mark ($35,000).
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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