Paris 2010: 2011 Audi A1 TFSI

Audi surprised us all when it took the wraps off its top-of-the-line A1 TFSI hatchback packing everything but the kitchen sink...and the S1 nameplate. The reason, according to reports, was that every S model in the company's history has featured Quattro all-wheel drive, but the PQ25 platform on which the A1 is based can't accommodate it. At least, not yet.

The UK's Autocar now suggests, however, that a business case is being made inside the Volkswagen Group to engineer the platform to accept the extra driveshaft. Doing so would allow for proper Quattro-driven S1, but that's not all. In order to justify the cost, the Volkswagen Polo could get a couple of models driven on all fours, including a Polo R hot hatch to slot in above the Polo GTI and a CrossPolo soft-roader with actual traction to back up its butch styling.

Posted in: 2010 paris motor show, 2011 Audi A1 Tsfi, Audi cars, auto news