Okay we all know a Ferrari Enzo or GT3 RS 4.0 is rare. But this car here is even more special.
Only 333 were made! The Audi A1 Quattro. Fast and very expensive.
I was present at the introduction, but that was on ice in Sweden. Fun, but how does it handle on tarmac?
So what makes this car special? It has 4WD for a start. the only 4WD A1.
Even more, the only car in this segment from the VW-group with 4WD.
they did that by taking the rear axel from the Audi TTS. So haldex, with max 50% power to the rear.
The power is just SO much for this segment. Even a Cooper Works GP doesn't get close. 256 PS!!!
That power comes from a 2.0 TFSI we know from cars like the S3 and Leon Cupra R.
But the engine behaves a little different. Is it the S3/Golf version, so power kicks in from 3.000 rpm.
And from there it builds up untill the limiter. But is sounds very different. More like an OPC: the turbo blowing and all!
It doesn't rumble like a Cupra R of Golf R.
In these DSG-rules time-age, we got a manual drive! The A1 quattro only comes with this gearbox.
I like that, because you have more control. With an engine like this, you want that.
Unfortunately, I must say it doesn't feel very good. A bit weak compared to an Audi S3.
The leaver looks great, but just to muhc movement.
the drive then: what is it like? Is it worth all that money. For an Audi, the steering is very nice.
We all know it isn't their strong point. But here: nice and direct and some feel.
The handeling is really special. It isn't to hard, so you can travel long distance. And then it might seem boring.
But when you discover what it can do, it isn't boring at all. It is a very fun car. Maybe more fun than a S3.
That car is more allround and clean. This one is small and light, but with just so much grip.
Just hit the throttle when you exit the curve and it GOES. With a golf R and S3 it is boring, here it is fun.
With a car like this you can reach very high speeds in corners.
On a small road like the one I am driving know, this car is king. with a sportscar like a Nissan 370Z, you cannot loose this car.
The power advantage disappaers and corners speeds are just so high. It'll chase the 370Z like a mosquito.
Same goes for and RS4 of M3. try and loose this car on a windey road? good luck.
Of course 65k euro's is A LOT of money. But I can understand were it went.
Audi just wanted to show what was possible in this segment. A Cooper GP is not like this, more a track car.
This is a typical Audi: good for long distance at high speeds and fun on great roads.
In the Netherland 11 people bought one, it is already sold out anyway.
Audi dared to try something special, and although it is too expensive, this car rocks.