MTM Audi A1 breaks 200 MPH at Nardo Ring

[quattroholic]

MTM Audi A1 breaks 200 MPH at Nardo Ring
Originally posted to quattroholic.com at 3:20 PM EST. Saturday, July 23, 2011



For Auto Motor und Sport's annual high speed test at the Nardo Ring last month, MTM fielded perhaps the least likely candidate to join the 200+ mph club. Surrounded by the likes of a 900-hp 9ff Porsche 911 GT3 and 1028-hp MKB Mercedes SLR McLaren, MTM's tiny A1 "Nardo Edition" managed to chug its way around the Italian test track to an amazing top speed of 324 km/h (201.32 mph).



To create the "Nardo Edition," MTM shoehorned a 500-hp variant of the TT RS's 2.5 TFSI five cylinder under the A1's hood, added 19" Bimoto wheels, eight-piston brakes, an upgraded adjustable suspension and plenty more to help crack the 200 mph barrier. Surprisingly though, the A1 retained it's front-wheel drive layout, using a Drexler limited-slip differential over a heavier quattro system.



While certainly not the fastest, you can't help but be impressed by how the MTM A1 Nardo Edition stacked up against the competition. Check out the results below:

1. 9ff Porsche 911 GT3: 391.2 km/h
2. MKB Mercedes SLR McLaren: 349.99 km/h
3. G-Power BMW M3: 333.3 km/h
4. MTM Audi A1: 324 km/h
5. Mathilda VW Scirocco R: 293.7 km/h
6. Speedart Porsche Cayenne Turbo: 284 km/h

Full photo gallery at quattroholic.com

Source: Auto Motor und Sport
Photos: MTM

[Greg Nelson]

Audi, bring the A1 here to NA in S, and/or RS package
No reason for this market to be exclusive to the Mini, which hits all age markets - teeners to grannys.
Cheers

[Anthony]

Audi, bring the A1 here to NA in S, and/or RS package
No reason for this market to be exclusive to the Mini, which hits all age markets - teeners to grannys.
Cheers

Couldn't agree more, especially now that the Fiat 500 is here too! Sure I'm biased, but I'd much rather have the Audi.

[Greg Nelson]

Couldn't agree more, especially now that the Fiat 500 is here too! Sure I'm biased, but I'd much rather have the Audi.

Forgot about the Fiat 500 - legendary on Italy's coast roads.
Can see the wife in an A1, no RS1 so I can have some fun with it on occasion
Cheers

[quattroholic]

I had the chance to get up close and personal with a A1 1.4 TFSI (185-hp, twin charged) at the Carlisle Import Show (Pennsylvania) in May. A VERY cool little ride. In my (obviously biased) opinion, the A1 (especially sporting S-Line body work) looks far better than the Fiat and Mini hands down; and from what I've read, the A1 seems to perform on par or better than the rivals depending on engine choice. The only thing that would hold me back from buying one would be the lack of quattro.

As for coming to North America, I've heard that if the car gets the green light, we'll have to wait until the next model refresh which is still a few years away. Unfortunately, I wouldn't hold your breath for an S and/or RS version on this side of the pond - if they build one.

[Greg Nelson]

I had the chance to get up close and personal with a A1 1.4 TFSI (185-hp, twin charged) at the Carlisle Import Show (Pennsylvania) in May. A VERY cool little ride. In my (obviously biased) opinion, the A1 (especially sporting S-Line body work) looks far better than the Fiat and Mini hands down; and from what I've read, the A1 seems to perform on par or better than the rivals depending on engine choice. The only thing that would hold me back from buying one would be the lack of quattro.

As for coming to North America, I've heard that if the car gets the green light, we'll have to wait until the next model refresh which is still a few years away. Unfortunately, I wouldn't hold your breath for an S and/or RS version on this side of the pond - if they build one.

Darn, hard to believe Audi passing up this potentially HUGE market opportunity, even at A1 level
Cheers

[Turbwhistle]

The wheels look fake.

[Pr0n]

The wheels look fake.

They are, it's part of the weight reduction.

[Turbwhistle]

They are, it's part of the weight reduction.

Are you joking... not to sound dumb but i don't know what you mean by this. I am thinking you mean they have ugly but light wheels below that. I thought it was just the camera.

[BenjaminR]

Looks like wheel covers to eliminate drag.

Been around for awhile and I imagine that lil A1 needed all the help it could get.

Note:

[Pr0n]

Are you joking... not to sound dumb but i don't know what you mean by this. I am thinking you mean they have ugly but light wheels below that. I thought it was just the camera.

No I'm serious, because the fabric is lighter than metal!

[Turbwhistle]

No I'm serious, because the fabric is lighter than metal!

LOL, i seriously felt like i was the biggest idiot.

[titsavant32]

I am all for the A1 here in the states....since the A3 2 dr is never going to come. It would sell extremely well.

[Sour]

funny thread

[Greg Nelson]

funny thread

Not funny, b/c Audi has stated 'no plans to introduce A1 to U.S. market'
This car NEEDS to become available soon, very soon in US. It will easily and rapidly overcome the Mini's dominance in this specialty car market,
IF Audi of America advertises it.

[Highlander1010]

I'd buy that for sure.