RS1: Audi’s 200kW pocket rocket spied

Nurburgring secret testing throws up a new treat – Audi’s new RS1 hot-hatch. New Drive spy shots reveal Audi is planning to stick its high-performance RS badge on its smallest car, the A1. A prototype RS1 was caught testing at – no surprises here – Germany’s Nurburgring Nordeschleife circuit. A large rear roof spoiler is the most obvious visual sign that this will be the fastest and most powerful version on the German brand’s Mini rival. That power is expected to be about 200kW, produced by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and sent to all four wheels – as per RS tradition. The result could see acceleration performance of about five seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint, which would make it considerable quicker – about 1.5 seconds - than BMW’s hottest Mini hatch, the 155kW JCW. RS badging of course means further performanc upgrades, including lowered and stiffened suspension, and bigger brakes for a model set to debut at 2012’s Geneva motor show. An upgraded price tag is inevitable, too. Considering the current fastest A1 on sale in Australia is the $42,500 1.4 TFSI Sport, and an S1 model is also in the pipeline, the RS1 is likely to cost close to $60,000 or more if it were imported to Australia. The RS1 will be a twin to the new Volkswagen Polo R, another hot-hatch that is also yet to be officially confirmed but seems certain considering the model will spearhead VW’s 2013 entry to the World Rally Championship.