Thoughts on the Audi S1

I have titled this post with the word "thoughts" because I have not actually driven the Audi S1, but that doesn't prevent me from reviewing it. Oh no.

Audi has been quite busy when it comes to releasing hot versions of it's cars. Namely the horsepower battle between the Audi RS3 and the Mercedes A45 AMG has been especially entertaining. With this evidence Audi definitely has a fixation on the HP figure. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that the A1's hot version, the S1, is the most powerful hatchback of this size. The engine bay has been crammed with a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged power plant. It develops a mighty 231 horsepower which in true Audi S-car fashion is transferred to the road through Audi's Quattro four wheel drive system.

Audi S1 (2015) in Vegas yellow with Quattro exterior styling pack

 This sounds excellent, but it has caused some problems. Because no other A1 has Quattro 4-wheel drive the entire rear needed to be remodeled so that all the mechanical components required would fit. As a result the load space of the S1 is smaller than that of a normal A1. So if the key word you use when buying a car is "practical" then you're in the wrong market. Even though Audi has gone to great lengths to give the S1 a Quattro layout, I don't think it was altogether necessary. This is proven by the fact that in most drive modes the S1 is almost completely front wheel drive. At maximum, 50% of the power will be sent to the rear wheels and even this happens at rare occasions.

This is the 5-door Sportback version.

It even says S1 on the break calipers.

Then we come to my largest complaint about this car, you guessed it, the price. Here in my country the price is a breathtaking 45 000€ and thousand euros more for the 5-door Sportback model. If you want it to look different with Quattro styling cues and other small features the price will be around
50 000€. That is the same as a brand new VW Golf GTI, and it just isn't worth it. The S1's largest competitor the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works is 5000€ cheaper and is equally as powerful. And I can say this with certainty that the Mini is probably more fun and lively to drive than the Audi.

That's way too many exhaust pipes and just makes the car look like it's trying too hard.

The Audi S1 is certainly a hot piece of kit. But I feel it is too much. Not only the price but also the trick Quattro system. A hot hatchback should be all about fun and on the face of it the Audi S1 seems to take itself too seriously.

Volvo C70 - Swedish surprise

The Swedes are good at many things, mainly in knitting stylish jumpers and wearing them peacefully in front of a cozy log fire. The leading car manufacturer in Sweden, Volvo, have primarily built cars to fit this image. Occasionally, however, some sportier models creep through the doors of Volvos' factories.

Volvo C70 2.3 T5 in Mystic Silver (1999)

Today the car in question is the Volvo C70 from 1999. It is available as a 2-door coupé and as a convertible with a canvas roof. The car I drove is obviously the coupé version. Another thing obvious from the picture is that it is quite a large car for a two door and the driving experience reflected that. The styling is done by the same man as almost the entire Volvo range in the late 90's and early 00's. I think the styling is modest and understated, you could almost call it timeless. Slightly flared wheel arches, no extra gills or styling cues some may consider vulgar. It even has only one exhaust pipe. Today, even the small Audi S1 has four of them.

Despite the coupé roof, even a lofty person can sit in the rear seats cozily.

The theme of modesty continues in the interior. The dashboard is made of soft, quality plastics some wood and leather. The buttons and switches are from other Volvos which means that it feels a bit conventional. And some of these buttons are in strange places, but nothing, no one couldn't become accustom to. But the best thing about the interior is the seats, which are excellent and are very suitable for the character of the car. The rear seats as well will fit two adults in comfort.

The outstanding seats make this a delightful place to be.

Behind this simple grill sits a jewel of an engine.

To move this flagship front-wheel drive coupé, Volvo offered a string of five cylinder engines. This specimen has the turbocharged 2.3 litre five cylinder called the T5. It delivers a power of 240 HP through a 5-speed manual which moves the car from 0-100 km/h in under seven seconds. This is the fastest version of the C70. That said, it did feel faster than what the moderate seven seconds would suggest. When the turbo kicks in at around 3000 RPM it really does fly. Despite the substantial weight and the comfortable suspension it tracks very well and you always feel like you're safe and in control, even though the slippery conditions made the traction control work overtime. The only complaint I have is why did Volvo give it front wheel drive. As rear wheel drive or even four wheel drive it would really have rivaled the competition, namely the Merc CLK. I suspect because of the front-wheel drive and that heavy engine it feels a tad nose heavy and the turning circle is shocking. But the turning circle is instantly forgotten when you hear the throaty baritone bellow of the five cylinder turbo. I honestly believe that it is one of the greatest and purest engine noises of any engine.

The Volvo C70 may be a sports coupé but in my mind it isn't a sports car. Its large body front-wheel drive layout represents more a long distance cruiser or a budget French Riviera cruiser if you will. I don't think it will become a classic. But if you want to experience performance motoring but still keep your sensible hat on, I really cannot imagine a better car to choose than this.

C70 in the sun.