ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

In the A1 Quattro’s engine bay was a transversely-mounted Type EA113 turbocharged and intercooled inline four with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, wet-sump lubrication and direct petrol-injection.

Largely identical to the power unit found in the contemporary Audi S3, the EA113 motor came with a reinforced cast-iron cylinder block as opposed to the aluminium alloy type used by normally aspirated VAG engines of the time. Other special equipment included an adjustable Variable Valve Timing intake cam, two balance shafts, a beefier crankshaft, a regulated oil pump, custom pistons and connecting rods, new camshafts, new valves and reinforced valve springs.

Displacement was the familiar 1984cc thanks to a bore and a stroke of 82.5mm and 92.8mm respectively.

With a compression ratio of 9.8:1 and a KKK K04 turbo, peak output was 252bhp at 6000rpm and 258lb-ft between 2500rpm and 4500rpm. This made the A1 Quattro easily the torquiest, most powerful car in the supermini class.

For comparison, the previously range-topping 1.4 TFSI produced 182bhp at 6200rpm and 184lb-ft at 2000rpm to 4500rpm.