The article was originally produced on December 21, 2012, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Audi A1 Quattro

The joy guarantee of a small car with 256 horses and a driving wheel in each corner is as obvious as the fact that the majority did not believe in the end of the world on December 21st. But if it did, against the odds, Cars Collection took the opportunity to test this extreme little mischievous seed from the Audi family a little extra before this doomsday. What doesn't fit better then a couple of Swedish snow-filled winter roads, probably nothing.

Audi's production pace in 2012 was like no other with a new model almost every month. Everything from everyday models to hair-raising performance versions from the RS division. When it comes to the performance versions in particular, they all have something in common, four-wheel drive (quattro). A key word in Audi's success starting in the rally context. There, the slightly insane Urquattro scared the life out of the competitors who came into close contact with it, while at the same time reaping countless victories. During the six seasons they drove with the original quattro in the WRC, the World Rally Championship, they took 23 victories and placed 5, 1, 2, 1, 2 and 4 in the championship. Stig Blomqvist became world champion in 1984 and second in 1985.

A standard A1 is not one of those cars that makes the heart rate rise significantly. Sure, it's a premium car in micro format and, according to Audi themselves, among the first in its segment. Unfortunately, the large "single frame" grill has been almost overproduced and most of the cars that roll out of Audi's factories look the same to the untrained eye. But the ingredients in the recipe as an additive for A1 Quattro are another five. They are few and simple. A straight four-cylinder two-liter petrol engine with a turbo of 256 horses and 350 Newtons of torque. A six-speed manual box that delivers the power to each wheel with four-wheel drive from Swedish Haldex. The result after baking in the oven at 250 degrees is a small car that is fun to drive with fantastic road holding and top-class performance. 0-100 is completed in just 5.7 seconds and the top speed of 245 km/h is really good. In a comparison carried out by British Autocar on a wet bumpy track against the performance monster, the Nissan GT-R, the A1 Quattro was superior!

Externally, it is easy to distinguish an A1 Quattro from a standard version of the A1. In addition to several Quattro emblems, it has a pair of fantastically stylish 18-inch turbine rims painted in white with a red center bolt. The car can only be had in the color "Glacier White metallic", the roof and roof arches are painted black, the car has tinted side windows. At the far back sits a gigantic wing and with the two large exhaust pipes, no one need be wondering what just passed by in the outer lane.

Inside, the A1 Quattro keeps the same simple layout as the standard version, everything is clearly laid out and easily accessible in classic Audi fashion. If you want to avoid the navigation window on top of the dashboard, you simply fold it down with your hand. Less electronics equals less unnecessary weight. The steering wheel has a stripped lower part and gives that extra sporty confidence when you grab a quarter in three. The chairs are shell type and provide perfect support. Even these without unnecessary electrical setting controls. Throughout the entire cabin are stylish red seams against the black leather. To really emphasize the sportiness of the A1 Quattro, the rev counter is painted red with a Quattro emblem in the middle. 

Precisely because the car is so small, the handling is accordingly, you know exactly where each corner is when you have to trick your way into small parking spaces. City traffic becomes a breeze even though an automatic gearbox would have been preferable when the queues start to get long. Then when boredom starts to creep in, you can calmly sit back and enjoy this small car's premium features. Among these we find surround sound from Bose of 180 watts, wireless transfer of telephone and music, storage of music directly on the hard drive in the car or via memory card. A 6.5-inch screen for the navigation and infotainment system.

When the snow-filled road lies winding ahead, a button must be pressed for the guarantee of happiness to be locked. The ESP button must be set to sport mode, which will allow the right sized rack but with a waist belt if it goes too wide. Before each curve, it is enough to let off the gas and let the rear fold out and then step on the gas again and use it to steer through the curve. With the A1 Quattro, this maneuver becomes so insanely easy and fun in the long run, you just can't get enough! As the icing on the cake, the engine offers a lovely soundtrack with a whistling sound when the turbo is working at full blast. This is exactly how an A1 Quattro should be experienced. Unfortunately, there is a catch, the car will only be produced in 333 copies and the price tag will end up at SEK 495,000. About eight will come to Sweden and they will be eaten like seeds for hungry little birds on a cold winter's day. But if you're fast, maybe it's you who scares the life out of the little birds when you pass by in an Audi A1 Quattro on a wide stand!

+ Small, light, and well-balanced car with strong engine and four-wheel drive. Wonderful road characteristics. 

– Limited and expensive. Only available in white.