Dan Trent: Is the A1 Quattro Audi's Group B‑style supermini?

Which is one of the reasons I so like the A1 Quattro, despite all logic pointing to the fact it makes no sense at all. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of a Polo-based hatchback with a 256ps 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, four-wheel drive and decked out in some delightful Group B inspired detailing is appealing in its own right. Press releases at the time boasted of the 600-plus components needing modification or replacement to turn a front-driven premium-badged supermini into a pocket-sized celebration of Audi’s fearsome Sport Quattro rally cars. And fitting the engine, propshaft and multi-link rear suspension from the TT S required serious changes to the body-in-white, which is hardly the work of a moment. All that with a manual transmission (note the R8-style gearknob…), a full toy count and all the luxury trimmings you’d expect of a top-line Audi and you have an amusing combination of the totally sensible and the utterly crazy.    

Making the fact they built just 333 of them, 19 of which were allocated to UK buyers, all the more off the wall. I’m no fan of exclusivity for exclusivity’s sake but the concept of a supermini for the supercar set, sold at what must have been a huge loss given the extent of the re-engineering, has an appealing madness about it. The more so for it coming from Audi.

If it had been left at that it would remain a glorious folly. But, of course, Audi doesn’t really do frivolous and after a tactful pause, a production S1 was launched, based on essentially the same package but with the later VW group turbo engine de-tuned to 231ps and the option of a five-door Sportback version too.  

For me, that doesn’t actually detract too much from the absurdity of the A1 Quattro. For those in the know it remains a true rarity, the ultra-cool turbine wheels, big-bore exhausts, contrasting black panels and roof-mounted wing setting it apart from the S1. Given the rarity and fact they sold for £41,020 I was chuffed to find one for sale in the UK for a reasonable sounding £31,950. But the advert is out of date and the car already sold.

No matter, there seems a reasonable supply of cars over on Mobile.de, the German classifieds site that accounts for much of my virtual tyre-kicking. Given all A1 Quattros were left-hand drive anyway that’s no great problem, going rate seemingly just shy of 50,000 euros. So, still not daft against that original price.

It gets better. The A1 Quattro’s engine is the same as that used in a variety of hot Audis, VWs and SEATs and actually in a very conservative state of tune. A plug-in £500 software package from respected tuner Revotechnik would unleash over 300hp, taking the baby Quattro from merely amusing to properly potent. Replace the fuel pump, fit a high-flow induction kit and add an exhaust and you’ve got foundations for closer to 400hp, power Revo says is well within tolerances for the clutch, gearbox and all-wheel drive system. All easily reversible to protect your investment too. But for a taste of Group B Sport Quattro in a city-friendly supermini I’d find it hard to resist, silliness like this the perfect corruption of Audi’s otherwise sensible image.