PoloDriver

Yes, we know PoloDriver.com is primarily about the Volkswagen Polo, but today’s new model announcement from Audi was just too mad to pass up. Besides, the A1 is closely related to the Polo. So there. What exactly has Audi unveiled? A 252bhp A1, called the quattro, with the engine from the larger S3, a four-wheel drive chassis, and looks inspired by the A1 Clubsport quattro concept, unveiled in May. Limited to only 333 units, there are doubts as to whether the car will be built with right-hand drive and therefore come to the UK – haggle your Audi retailer if you’d like it to be a rare sight on our green and pleasant lanes. And yes, we would.

Performance of the A1 quattro looks to be explosive. The 0-62mph dash takes 5.7 seconds, and the car romps on to a top speed of 152mph. Maximum torque of 258lb ft is available between 2500-4500rpm, while all 252 horses are unleashed at 6000rpm. Standard transmission will be a six-speed manual gearbox mated to Audi’s famed ‘quattro’ four-wheel drive, specially engineered for the PQ25 Volkswagen Group small car platform. Exclusive ‘Glacier White’ turbine design 8.0 J x 18-inch cast alloy wheels with 225/35 series tyres transfer the power to the road, while black brake calipers grip 312mm diameter discs.

Outrageous looks match the outrageous power. The A1 quattro is only available in Glacier White Metallic with a glass black roof, rear hatch panel, rear spoiler, and front grille frame. Two 100mm chromed exhausts poke out from the restyled gloss black diffuser, while strong red accents in the front and rear lights add further menace. The interior features heavily-bolstered sports seats with black ‘Silk Nappa’ leather with contrasting red stitching, brushed stainless steel pedals, a flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel and individual numbered plaque. Arriving in the second half of 2012, the A1 quattro must have instantly become one of the most-anticpated cars of next year. No prices have yet been released by Audi, but it won’t come cheap. But, now we know that the technology is available, four-wheel drive Polo R anyone?

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We first heard about AutoTweetUp in September. Founded by editor of Racing and Waiting magazine, Tim Hutton, the #AutoTweetUp series of events aims to bring together influential tweeters in and around the automotive industry for manufacturer tours, networking, social events and anything else that gets like-minded car people together. Tim’s first event was at the 7 Hotel Diner in Kent back in September, and it was there we returned to yesterday, for the December 2011 AutoTweetUp, just in time for Christmas. As well as motoring journalists, car bloggers like us were in attendance, too, and as before, a diverse range of cars attended. Below are a few of our favourites from the afternoon (if there’s a caption missing then email rich@polodriver.com for one to be added). If you’d like to get involved with the AutoTweetUp scene, check out the AutoTweetUp website, or follow @autotweetup on Twitter.

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We like this. It would appear that Volkswagen Motorsport’s Polo R WRC isn’t the only rally-prepared monster Polo. Surfacing on the internet earlier today, Paul Dytko’s 400bhp/298kW (that’s 100bhp more than VW’s factory effort, remember) four-wheel drive Polo 6R has been built to contest the 2012 FIA European Hillclimb Championship, which has rounds in both mainland Europe and Paul’s home country of Poland. Capable of 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, the Dytko Sport car appears to be clothed in similar clothes to Volkswagen’s official Polo R WRC, its cut-back extended wheel arches signalling its storming intent. Paul is looking for sponsorship for further development of the car, and has plans for a full lightweight tube-frame structure. Once we find out more, we’ll bring you more details of this exciting project.

[Source: German Car Scene]

Fresh from their end-of-season championship battle, 11 Volkswagen Polo R Cup India racing cars will be taking part in a night race in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 17 December. Supporting the debut of the Colombo Night Races, seven of the Polo R Cup India drivers will be piloting their 129bhp TDI racing cars. Four guest Sri Lankan drivers will make up the rest of the grid. The Colombo Night Race marks the Polo R Cup India’s international debut; the race will be run on a 2km street circuit in the heart of Colombo.

Prithviraj Siddappa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India, said: ‘We are thrilled to have this opportunity to race on the streets of Colombo in our first ever night race. This will be very encouraging and a learning experience for our young drivers as this is not a conventional race circuit. They will have to adapt quickly and tweak their racing styles. This exhibition race also means a lot for Volkswagen Motorsport as this proves the popularity of Polo R Cup in India and beyond. Races like these will definitely help us attract more young talent for participation in the upcoming 2012 season of the Polo R Cup.’