2012 Audi RS1

If you were waiting for a confirmation that Audi was indeed preparing an RS version for their latest A1 small hatchback, well here it is. The RS1 has been caught testing, not just once, but two times. The first session was during testing at the Nurburgring and the second was while it was cruising around on some of Germany’s streets. The RS1 may as well get used to the streets of Europe because, as of right now, there’s no chance it will see American soil.

Like with all the other RS models in Audi’s line-up, the new RS1 will feature a specially designed front bumper, a new rear wing, and wider side sills, as well as two fat exhaust pipes, one on each side. As for the hatchback’s engine, it is rumored that Audi will be using a turbo charged four-cylinder delivering some 250 HP, and not the same 340 HP turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine found in other hot models such as the TT RS and RS3 as we had hoped. This engine will be combined with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive.

The new Audi RS1 will make its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next March.