2014 Audi S1 Sportback revealed

* Hot version of Audi supermini revealed * 228bhp turbo petrol; 0-62mph in 5.8sec * On sale in spring, priced from £24,900...

2014 Audi S1 Sportback revealed

The 2014 Audi S1 has been revealed at the 2014 Geneva motor show.

The three-door S1 and five-door S1 Sportback get a 228bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine; the three-door does the 0-62mph dash in in 5.8 seconds, while the Sportback takes a tenth longer. Both are limited to 155mph. The S1 gets a six-speed manual gearbox, and Audi insiders say there is no intention to offer the S tronic automatic.

Despite being smaller and less powerful than the Audi S3, the S1’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions are almost identical. The three-door S1 returns 39.8mpg and emits 162g/km of CO2, while the figures for the S1 Sportback are 40.35mpg and 166g/km.

The S1 is essentially a more affordable version of the limited-edition A1 quattro from 2012. That car had 252bhp, but the performance is on par. Like the A1 quattro, the S1 gets a black finish on the rear tailgate, red detailing in the headlights, and a beefed-up bodykit.

The S1’s steering and suspension have been revised over other A1 models, and the standard Audi Drive Select system allows the engine and damper settings to be altered on the move. The brakes have also been upgraded.

Standard equipment includes xenon headlights, 17-inch alloys, sport seats and air conditioning. 18-inch wheels are available in the options list, along with red brake calipers, sat-nav, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system, and the large rear spoiler seen in the pictures above.

The Audi S1 and S1 Sportback goes on sale shortly after March's Geneva motor show. The three-door will cost from £24,900, while the Sportback iwill be priced from £25,630.