Test Audi S1, the culmination of time

They say that past waters do not move mills. Those same, they also talk about the pastIt's just dust in time Similarly, others prefer to think that where there was fire, ashes remain. And that the past always comes back. Finally, the triangle of this thought is formed by those who say that our future is an unfinished puzzle, with pieces from our past.

You can choose any option, all of them can be valid. But the protagonist that I come to present to you was forged following the philosophy of one of them. The past years served as inspiration to give life to this little German, a native of Ingolstadt, and a mischievous personality. It seemed that he would not arrive, it seemed that the S, he would never again accompany the loneliest number of all. And he arrived, here he is, this week in Actualidad Motor, we tried the Audi S1, the culmination of time.

Yes, all stories usually start at the beginning. There is an introduction, a knot or development, and, finally, a denouement. But to annoy, and since I am on the train back home with the sensations still To flower of skin, I will skip the introduction and come to the point if you allow me. And it is that the beginnings matter, and of course, also the endings, but the path that we travel between both parts, the action so that you understand me, in our case, it will differentiate this story.

Without presentations, pedal and bottom

Third gear, full throttle and my back against the seats of the Audi S1 ​​as if they had put superglue in them and they would not have warned me. And it is that the energy with which it hits my neck is 2.0 liter TFSI engine that roars inches from my feet, seems even to do dance to my brain.

Conclusion 231 horsepower those developed by the smallest of the sports range. Power that appears from well below the rev counter, but when it really manifests itself, it is after 3.000 laps. In that range where I am at this moment, the kick is brutal, worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo in a free kick.

A very real Scalextric car

Foot on the brake, lever in second, and I turn the wheel with energy. After the vertex, without having the car still positioned at the exit of the curve, I step on again with forcefulness the shovel. No trace of understeer. The Audi S1 ​​comes out like soul that carries the devil to devour the next curve. But of course, I still haven't told you that the German mounts the Quattro drive. A system that under normal conditions only sends power to the front axle, but when things get ugly, it acts as all-wheel drive. If it detects loss of grip, it automatically sends more torque to the wheels with more grip.

To equip the Audi S1 ​​with this technology, they have had to make some adjustments to the model. In the first place, due to its compact size, 3,97 meters in length, they have chosen to attach the rear differential above the rear axle. In turn, the fuel tank is now in another position, although it continues to fill 45 liters.

Next curve to the right, same maneuver, and same forcefulness with the direction. The subtlety of the German playing between linked is, without a doubt, outstanding. The work of aplomb that the engineers have achieved, with a solid suspension and chassis equipment, allows us to seek the limits of the sports car at every turn. And the fact is that, unlike its brother in the range, the Audi A1, it benefits from a independent rear suspension.

Yes, but without extremes

We've got stiff suspension, we've got a direct feel and short throw six-speed manual gearbox, and we've got precise steering. Although it is true that this cocktail, it's not radical either. With this moron we notice every crack in the asphalt, but we don't we pull our hair out thus. And the sensations with the lever and the steering wheel may even be less extreme than expected, showing us the docile face of the Ingolstadt.

The one that shows us little docility is the heart that gives life to the Audi S1. We are facing the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf R, the 2.0-liter TFSI. In this case, mechanics develops 231 hp and 370 Nm of torque. All this hidden under a cover of 1.400 kilograms and associated with a six-speed manual gearbox as I mentioned before.

the sweetest horror

I'm a scaredy guy, even horror movie trailers scare me. But on this S1, I have met the devil, or at least a friend of his. He is under the hood, roaring every time he sinks his right foot. And fear… it's the last thing I feel right now.

This engine uses a double injection. When conditions only require low loads, it acts as indirect injection, but when the Audi S1 ​​is asked to show all its fury, the mechanics use direct injection. In addition, this 2.0-liter has a supercharging system attached, with a turbo that blows at 1,4 bars.

The key, Quattro traction

Meanwhile, the Audi S1 ​​continues to teach me its virtues. It is fast, there is no doubt, but for me, this capacity is not what makes it unique. Quattro traction is our best ally. Press the pedal to the floor in the middle of the curve it is not something that can be done with the rest of its competitors.

Precisely, this reminds me of when I had the opportunity to try another compact of weapons to take, the volkswagen polo r, of which I offered you the proof my partner Sunday. He was amazingly fast, the sensations were magnificent. But poor you if you were looking for the shovel with rage in full swing, the scare was championship. The one from Wolfsburg equips a front-wheel drive, and the understeer that he gave you, with so much power transmitted to the front axle, 220 horses, sometimes became dangerous.

Do you dare to challenge him?

After kilometers and kilometers of curves that seemed to take me to hell itself, the German has convinced me. Tied to his steering wheel, at times, I felt like a Fernando Alonso. But electronics appears more times than you imagine. The differential XDSincorporates "torque vectoring", a system that applies selective braking to the inner wheel of the curve to improve its efficiency.

So that it gives you a break, and you feel in your flesh every reaction of the S1, the brand has the Audi Drive Select, allowing you to select the driving mode that best suits the moment. While “comfort” alters the German's personality, turning him into a friendlier boy, “dynamic” brings out his mischievous side, also reducing the presence of electronics. Halfway there, the “car”, which will adapt the car according to needs.

In the distance, the end of the road, and next to it, a siding where both the Audi S1 ​​and myself can rest. Hand on the gear lever to reduce gears and by the way, fill my ears with heavenly music. The notes that are fired from the four exhaust outlets of the sports utility vehicle are capable of making your hair stand on end but, and being an important but, you will miss the occasional backfire. And it is that, just as practice without its theory is nothing, a good roar without an explosion can leave you halfway.

Devil inside and out

Naturally, driving is the first thing I want to do when I get into a car, and especially since the mount I'm riding is called S1 and it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5,8 seconds. But after a good conversation with each of the cars I test, I like to sit down in front of them and analyze, again, their image, looking for those corners that make it unique.

In this section, an Audi A1 TDI with S-line package could deceive more than one by posing as the S1. The differences They are rare but exclusive. In the first place, the optics present a more torn design, the same that we can now see in the recently presented restyling of its brother A1. The front part shows more marked, more aggressive lines, being governed by the enormous grille that, of course, is the place where Audi places the distinctive S1.

The profile lets us see some pretty tires which, in this press unit, are 18 inches and have a five-spoke S design. This ornament hides some S1 brake calipers colored in red that, in our case, combine with the exterior color leaving a racing impression in our eyes. In the same way, this is where the three-door configuration shines, with more sporty shapes. And it is that, if you prefer, it is also available in five doors, although, for my taste, whenever we talk about sportiness, I prefer the coupé finish. A decision that, logically, has its bad part, the entrance to the cabin and the feeling of being in a smaller space.

Finally, our journey to the deck of the Audi S1 ​​ends in its rear, a place of worship in the utility vehicle to be discovered, not one, not two, not three... but four exhaust outlets. As you know, the S models have a quadruple exhaust outlet while the RS models are satisfied with two, but with a larger diameter. This auction is appreciated, giving the little radical, a much more extreme image.

What seats!

Its architecture, despite differing from the rest of the range in specific details, is quite correct. But what about your interior? In the cabin we find more of the same. Little to highlight except the flattened S1 steering wheel, the emblems of the version that appear on the rim, instrument panel or multimedia system, and the seating, An authentic work of art.

The problem comes when you realize that they are optional and you have to pay 730 euros for them. A price that, at least, is not exorbitant. In addition, the characteristics of these seats are spectacular. The design, in imitation of backets, is very successful, and the grip and comfort they offer, leaving you in a low and sporty position, are remarkable.

Exclusive in all respects

And here you have it. It has been a long time since Audi wrote an important page in motorsport history with its S1 Quattro. Not so long ago, the company with the rings paid tribute to it by presenting a special edition called Audi A1 Quattro which, among its virtues, was to offer 265 horsepower. But despite being a titan of the asphalt, until today, we cannot say that the S has a new member in its family.

Great athlete, and good seducer, but too inaccessible. Its price starts at 34.245 euros, and can be around 40.000 euros, as is the case with our press unit, if you flirt a little with your list of equipment. Few could stand up to him in a race, but practically everyone can do it with the price. And it is that, to give you an example, and saving the distances, the Renault Clio RS, asks for about 24.000 euros.

This is the Audi S1, the culmination of time.