It’s a shame that Audi is only producing 333 left-hand drive versions of the Audi A1 quattro all-drive pocket rocket. Unfortunately none of them will be headed for Australia.
Keen buyers in the UK will be able to place their orders from March, with deliveries commencing in mid-2012. Prices will start at £41,020 OTR (approximately AU$60,616 after a straight conversion). To put that into perspective, an Audi S5 V8 sports coupe starts at £42,790 OTR in the UK (starts at AU138,900 in Australia).
The Audi A1 quattro comes with a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 188kw of power and 350Nm of torque. Available only with a six-speed manual, the angry hatch can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, while top speed is rated at 245km/h.
Distinguishing features on the outside are quite obvious, including an aggressive bodykit with front and rear spoilers, a large front bumper bar showcasing Audi’s latest sports design language – as seen on the new Audi RS4 Avant – and a set of rally-style alloy wheels.
Inside offers a similar clubsport style, with sports leather seats, a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals with matching aluminium gear shifter, and gloss black trimmings. There’s also an MMI multimedia display and a kicking Bose sound system.
This is one of those cars that would be extremely fun through a deserted dirt road on a rainy day, or, as shown, on a snowy pass. Again, a shame Australia misses out.
