WORDS: Trent Giunco PHOTOS: Alastair Brook
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larm clocks are piercing. And in the dim dawn light of Sunday morning, mine seems especially cruel. The outside temperature staunchly clings to single figures and the warmth of bed seems more enticing than the planned road trip. Brooding storm clouds only add to the apprehension. Theory often seems like a good idea until reality hits. However, there is a silver lining, and hopefully Audi’s performanceorientated supermini, the S1, will provide the right antidote. It offers 170kW and 370Nm-worth of reasons to stumble to life while others remain in a state of deep slumber. After all, the Sunday drive is special. Getting behind the wheel simply for the pure enjoyment are moments to savour. Routes must be planned and suitable steeds selected.
The Great Dividing Range in New South Wales is our Alps. The twisty ribbons of tarmac that adorn the Apple Isle notwithstanding, roads elsewhere in Australia rarely meet the calibre of the Snowy Mountains Highway. Breathtaking scenery provides an awe-inspiring backdrop, serenely immersing you within its grasp as you traverse the range. Therefore, using the city of Wagga Wagga as a base, and Adaminaby as the half-way point, it serves as the perfect itinerary for a 500km loop. Blurry eyed, I gingerly step out into the cold to the waiting S1. It is the German marque’s cheapest S variant to date. However, at $49,990 there is nothing budget about the pumped-up A1. Justification is found in the parts pilfered from within the Volkswagen Group, namely the ubiquitous EA888 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder engine, tied to Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
Posing for the camera, the muscled-up S1 certainly morphs out of the cutesy A1 silhouette
With a white hue and the optional $4990 S performance pack – with visual enhancements like the 18inch alloys and black roof – it looks menacing. The Xenon headlights and LEDs front and rear cut through the misty haze, signifying the fact it’s not a run-of-the-mill A1. As the rain increases, I can’t help but think that the weather gods must have known the S1 packs quattro goodness. It is also
a nod, in part, to the badge’s rally lineage. This isn’t a solo jaunt. Along to document the journey is photographer, Alastair. And apart from his distain at the early hour, he also seems less than pleased about the impending close quarters. When trying to load hoards of camera gear, we are once again reminded of just how small the S1 Sportback is. Don’t be fooled by the four-door “Sportback” configuration. While it eases the process of alighting and increases headroom, rear legroom is tight. So we quickly forget about the idea of taking the camera boom. It seems the addition of the quattro all-wheel drive and the sophisticated fourlink independent rear suspension has left a compromised 210-litre boot. Although the general interior design still looks relevant despite models like the new TT showcasing the future of Ingolstadt’s cabins. Faffing about the deserted city streets in search of fuel illustrates the little Audi’s pocket-rocket nature, but the giggly ride over craggy, slow-speed surfaces on the
attractive 18-inch alloys annoys. Pre-coffee, Alastair surprisingly moans less than I about the aggressive Dynamic mode that can’t be dissected via an Individual setting. Maybe it’s because his posterior is toasty in the supportive – and heated for $600 – S sport bucket seats as the temperature readout nudges 10 degrees. With a full tank, standard sat-nav set and enough snacks to induce diabetes, it was time to stretch the S1’s legs towards the hills. In just about the only straight roads planned for the day, the distinctive factors that make the S1 so different remain virtually dormant. It’s refreshing to see that a few typically old-school additions are juxtaposed with the Euro-chic, yet understated presence. There is a six-speed manual, three pedals and a conventional handbrake. Those factors imbue the supermini with a level of raw connection some of the current fast Audis lack. Yet, none of those attributes have really been accessed at this point. The mountains are waiting for that, but for now the ride quality suitably softens at speed in Efficiency mode.
The misty conditions idyllically complement the greening grass littered with autumn-coloured leaves in the quaint town of Rosewood. It provides the first of many painstaking stints in the elements for Alastair to get “that shot�. Posing for the camera, the muscled-up S1 certainly morphs out of the cutesy A1 silhouette. Over a mid-morning bacon and egg roll in Tumbarumba,
conversation eventually turns to the precarious position the S1 occupies within VAG. Considering the bigger Golf R is offered with a manual gearbox and packs a harder 206kW punch, it seems the logical choice. Especially given it only garners a $2000 premium. Looking outside the realms of VW, and sticking with the same overall size as the S1, means vastly cheaper prices.
However, they are all front-wheeldrive only and pack considerably less badge cachet. The manual S1 will be a purchase of the heart rather than he overthinking mind. Getting back behind the flatbottomed steering wheel, it feels strange to be in an Audi and to not have paddle shifters. Also noted is that some of the materials don’t quite match the upmarket price, and that the antiquated MMI controls are clunky to use. However, it’s time to ascend and access a world of grunt, which is on offer from just 1600rpm. Climbing into thinner air the turbo mill spins freely as the road up to Selwyn snowfields becomes increasingly narrow and twisty. Heavy fog closes in and cloaks the road to come, almost shrouding the way ahead like a scene from The Lord Of the Rings.
The rivers of water crossing the road seem inconsequential to the staggering pace that can be achieved
Vision, of which there is little in these conditions, is precious. A fallen tree, a rather steep drop-off and a surface strewn with bark render spirited driving almost impossible. The tempo of progress increases as the fog mercifully lifts. There is something liberating about being able to use more of the road without crossing the centre line in a fast, small car. Cornering at higher speeds than the suggested 35km/h signs is easy and the S1 takes on the one-lane bridges and hits apexes with abandon. Having to make quick U-turns for photo opportunities on the constricted road also highlights the lack of a reversing camera – harsh on a $50K hatch – but confirms the nippy city appeal. Eventually, after myriad freezing stops for pictures, we make it to the Snowy Mountains Highway at Kiandra.
It is breathtaking and, in these conditions, more resembles the views of a British countryside. The constricted, corridor-like Link Road makes way for the fast and flowing sections across the top of the Range to Adaminaby. We’re behind schedule, but there is still time for a sneaky burger, to check out the home of the big trout and to get out of the elements. Little did we know, but kilometres up the road Thredbo was experiencing
the first heavy snow-falls of the year as the temperature once again plummets. Heading back towards Kiandra on the smooth, resurfaced portion of the highway justifies Audi’s decision to rework the A1’s underpinnings to accommodate the quattro system. Given it’s a bespoke model, it must have been a hard sell to the bean counters, but the rewards are felt with immense grip and security. The rivers of
water crossing the road seem inconsequential to the staggering pace that can be achieved. A section of progressively tightening corners proves the S1’s chassis and performance credentials are more than just token gestures. The quicker steering ratio adds to the sharp front end and it turns in well, but there is an apparent lack of feedback through the wheel – even in Dynamic mode.
On a particularly open hairpin, the front axle also walks wide on exit when applying too much accelerator and steering lock. However, this is a rare occurrence and despite being front heavy and with a front-biased drive split (60:40), understeer is rarely a problem. At 1340kg the S1 is still light on its feet and changes direction at will. Flicking down a few gears and firing out the other side of bends becomes addictive – a drive on dry roads the day before also confirmed this. The shift action of the manual isn’t overly short on throw, but
it is pleasing in hand. Using the engine to assist with braking also comes in handy as I see Alastair’s grip of the door handle become ever tighter and eyes ever wider. The threat of the awaiting forest is always present, so a modicum of calm is called for. After all, we want to take in the wooded scenery without being part of it. In an age of rampant downsizing, it’s heartening to see a big engine providing power to such a small platform. We couldn’t help but chortle at how the grand countryside dwarfed the S1 and to guess the thoughts of those
In an age of rampant downsizing, it’s heartening to see a big engine providing power to such a small platform
we overtook as the little white Tic Tac blazed by. In truth the 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds doesn’t translate to the seat of the pants in a straight line, but it is devastatingly fast point-to-point. The gloriously linear mill is free of lag and it amasses ample muscle around 3000rpm. It’s the perfect type of in-gear performance for these roads. After hours hurtling up, down and across mountains, it was time to make the final descent to Talbingo. With the heavy rain petering out, it seemed remiss not to take the S1 on a dirt –
I mean muddy – road. After all, think of the history. If only the wailing five-pot sound of the Pikes Peak-winning S1 Quattro could be channelled into the cabin. The acoustics of the four-pot aren’t too shabby and in Dynamic mode pops and crackles can be heard on the overrun. With less grip available off-road and the Haldex-based quattro system’s ability to send up to 100 per cent of torque to the rear axle, the effervescent side of the S1’s persona shines. Even on sodden tarmac the rear always feels tied down, but it comes alive off it. That conventional handbrake also helps. Although I swear I didn’t use it, Mr Audi. Considering there’s no spare wheel due to the battery sitting underneath the boot floor, it’s probably not the wisest decision, either. Yet, it’s another notch in the baby quattro’s armour. In a material world, the S1 is refreshingly not a material girl. Returning to sealed roads, and a few big puddles later, most of the evidence washes away in the spray behind the quad tailpipes. With the sun rushing towards its daily resting place, time wasn’t on our side as Blowering Dam came into focus. The reality of the landscape seemed at odds with the unrelenting precipitation. Sitting at about 25 per cent capacity, the dam needed the drink the rainy Sunday was providing. Capturing the trip through the camera lens has taken more time than we had planned. I knew leaving Blowering Dam at sunset would be fraught with danger. Kangaroos don’t play nice with cars. As expected, literally hundreds of marsupials line the side of the road. It’s like our own welcoming party, one that we don’t want to attend. The average speed plummets, and on more than one occasion full brake pressure from the ventilated discs is required to accompany a quick flick of the tiller. If anything, it reiterates the go-kart-esque handling, a characteristic that helps keep all four rings on the trapezoidal grille intact.
Ultimately it’s been a graceful dance through epic scenery. The S1 has felt nothing but planted, secure and unequivocally fast
Specifications Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,990 (excluding on-road costs) Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol Fuel Economy ������������������������������������������������������������������������7.1L/100km Power ���������������������������������������������������������������������������170kW (6000rpm) Torque ����������������������������������������������������������������370Nm (1600-3000rpm) Transmission �������������������������������������������������������������� Six-speed manual Permanent quattro all-wheel drive Safety ������������������������������������������������������������������ Five star ANCAP rating
Test rating
Passing through Tumut and joining the Hume Highway calms proceedings. The road remains thoroughly sodden; however, the rain mercifully dissipates. I slot into sixth gear at 110km/h and let the cruise control do the work. It is effortless thanks to the meaty torque negating the need to select a shorter ratio. Sitting at 2500rpm, it’s the closest we get to the claimed 7.1L/100km consumption figure. The cabin is bathed in thoughtful ambient lighting and the Bose sound system provides a positive substitute to conversation. Ultimately it’s been a graceful dance through epic scenery. The S1 has felt nothing but planted, secure and unequivocally fast. Even in the torrential rain, the adjustable dynamics come to the fore. Almost anyone could feel like Walter Röhrl – even if their abilities fall short of the mark. The S1 is a rule-breaker and, when taking into account the sum of its parts, is without peer in its segment. As I pull into the driveway I’m
tired, yet satisfied. The nuggety Audi has found an avenue to endear itself in a way I didn’t think possible 11 hours ago. Sure it’s not cheap, and it isn’t the loud child of the hot hatch playground, but it doesn’t bypass personality en route to competency. It has more than proven its worth on roads that would have left others in shambles. After unloading the camera gear and the ravaged lolly wrappers, the ticks and crackles can be heard from the dormant, cooling running gear. The sun fades and darkness falls as the striking LEDs switch off for the last time. The smell of a hearty Sunday family dinner fills the air and it feels like the right end to a brilliant experience. In hindsight, the reality of the day more than met the theory. Put simply, the Great Dividing Range provides the stage for one of the best driving acts in Australia. For many, Sunday is a day of rest. They don’t have the go-fast gene. But for those in the know, it’s all about the joy of driving.