Audi’s baby A1 is no longer that cute little kid who always had to put up with aunt Merrill’s cheek squeezing routine at family gatherings. Its grown up into a menacing teenager who’s more than just its teachers worst nightmare, in fact it doesn’t even bother attending class. Beefed up in both the looks and power department the A1 is now playing with over 495bhp in its new Clubsport Quattro Edition.The one-off ‘Clubsport Quattro’ features a heavily blown version of the 2.5-litre five-pot used in both the RS3 and TT RS. Here, the turbo, intercooler, induction tract and exhaust have been turned up to 11 while even the exhaust tailpipe sits on the left, just in front of the rear wheel a-la DTM.

The boost of power- 495bhp and 468lb ft – coupled with a kerbweight of 1,390kg means it accelerates faster than a jet propeled cheetah on its way to an all you can eat buffet .          0-62mph takes 3.7 seconds, 0-124mph takes 10.9 seconds, 50-70mph takes 2.4 seconds and top speed is limited to 155mph. You’ll probabley run out of nerve before the Clubsport runs out of gusto.

A manual six-speeder and, naturally, four-wheel drive manage the power, it comes with 19inch wheels, carbon-fibre and ceramic brakes and coilover suspension. The front wings, doors and rear side panels have been beefed up by 60mm, there are spoilers, diffusers, intakes, skirts and even a boost gauge.

When this thing sees red you better be ready to hold on!

Carving out the Beast