Audi S1 to Come in 2012

The excitement following the release of the smallest Audi in the lineup hasn't even completely faded away and now more exciting rumors surround the new release. According to Autocar, the Ingolstadt carmaker is planning no less than four other A1-based releases, including the S1 version.

The S1 will however not see daylight until sometime in 2012. It will be based on the three door version presented yesterday and is meant to be a matching pair for Volkswagen’s upcoming Polo GTI.

According to the source, the S1 will use a turbocharged 1.4l engine, developing around 180 hp and mated to Audi's seven speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. The unique thing about is that it would be the first S from Audi not to have a four wheel drive, but a front-wheel drive configuration... We were under the impression Audi's S is all about quattro, but hey, what do we know...

Until the S1 gets here, Audi will offer an S line sport package for the A1, featuring 17- or 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, S line sport suspension with dynamic suspension tuning, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and sport seats.

The regular A1 is powered by two gasoline and two diesel engines, all direct fuel injected and turbocharged. By choosing turbocharging over size, Audi says the engines in the A1 have a fuel economy of in between 3.8 and 5.4/100 km (43-61 mpg).

Aside for the S1, Audi reportedly plans a five-door version and a A1 cabrio.