The previous generation Audi A1 spawned a fantastic little car in the form of the 4WD, 227bhp S1. Since then, we’ve longed for Audi to give us a proper S version of the new A1 Sportback, but our calls have gone unanswered. 

Luckily, German tuner ABT has clearly been listening in, because it has now announced an upgrade package for the little hatch. The headline figures? A healthy 236bhp and 361nm of torque, up from the standard 2.0-litre TFSI’s 197bhp and 320nm, thanks to an ECU upgrade. Not too much, not too little… just right.

Sadly, that power is still only transmitted through the front wheels, so the only links to Quattro here are the three open slots below the bonnet – a feature borrowed from the 1984 Group B rally car.

Still, ABT will also fit new sports suspension that lowers the A1 by a maximum of 30mm, and you can spec those lovely 18-inch wheels in either matte or glossy black. Looks the business, doesn’t it?

It may not be an all-out pocket rocket, but ABT’s changes will only set you back £3,419 (approx. RM18,000) for everything, which seems like remarkable value considering the pay-off.

Like it? Or will you be continuing to pester Audi with those ‘GIVE US AN S1’ emails?