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ETKA Reveals Powertrain Details for Upcoming Audi S1 or RS 1, At Least 250 hp
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on 11-14-2011 at 12:36 PM (7886 Views)
It seems digging deep within the ETKA parts program has paid off in a number of stories for Spanish language car blog ParaisoMotor this morning. In addition to details about the RS 3 plus and A1 Sportback , they've also stumbled across drivetrain details for the hottest A1 variant we've seen yet.
Look closely at the ETKA screen capture above and you'll see there's a 250-hp 6-speed version of what is being termed "A1 quattro 2.0". Of course that doesn't mention either the S1 or RS 1 names so we'll draw a few conclusions...
Conclusion #1
First, we know the A1 quattro is coming. We've already tested a pre-production prototype of a 1.4 TFSI . The car was a great package, very composed on ice regardless of it's lack of working ESP system in its preproduction form and also decently quick. We were told then that quattro was on the way and had assumed a 1.4 TFSI quattro was most likely the peak petrol offering for the A1 quattro. This one says "A1" though, so is it possible there'll be an A1 2.0 TFSI quattro? Maybe...
Conclusion #2
If the above ETKA does refer to an A1 2.0 TFSI then that suggests the S1 will have even more power - all well and good but we have a theory this is an S1. We're not the only ones who've spotted A1s at Audi's HQ in Ingolstadt with "S1" badged clusters as seen above. The S1 is likely to drop soon and 250 is consistent with power already offered by cars like the TTS and S3. We're guessing this listing is for the S1 but that given ETKA-based leaks on cars like the S7 that may have been easily found via searches, Audi has perhaps tried to hide the S1 in plain site by calling it A1... on ETKA and just as it did in the Audi Forum parking garage with the car shown above in our instrument cluster photo.
When the S1 does finally drop, we expect it to look a LOT like the car in the render at the top. If it drops before the A1 facelift, then the above image should be VERY close to production with latest S-car grille and brightwork. If it drops after the facelift, expect subtle changes in line with the latest S4 and S5.
Conclusion #3
We're pretty sure this figure is not that of the also upcoming RS 1. Though we've not heard anything official from Audi regarding the existence of an RS 1 and thus are also unaware of the official drivetrain plan for the car. That said, fans peering underneath A1s in the Audi Forum garage have seen RS1 references on labels and then there's this mule spied testing a few weeks ago quite obviously wearing an RS 1 chin.
Given Audi showed a 2.5 TFSI powered A1 concept back at Worthersee last year, we're hoping the RS 1 will get that motor, which would push the car another 100 hp above a 250 hp S1. Either way, we're pretty sure the 250 hp 2.0T A1 in ETKA does not refer to the RS 1.
Read more about the ETKA find at Paraisomotor.com after the jump.
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