2014 Audi S1

Hot hatch. To the auto enthusiast, the term means a high-performance hatchback vehicle. To the uninformed, it probably sounds like sexual innuendo. And to Audi, up until now, it’s meant virtually nothing. But the all-wheel drive lovin’ German manufacturer is finally ready to enter the hot hatch arena, and the S1 is the horse it’s putting its money on.

Based on the supermini-sized A1, industry insiders say the S1 will be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show. Specs-wise we’re hearing it’ll feature a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine taken from Audi’s S3, but nerfed down a bit to a still very robust 230 hp. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission will handle all the hatchy hotness, and with the Audi pedigree behind it, this will surely be on the short list of many a thrill-seeker.