Audi has had good success in Europe with its A1 compact hatchback. With the success seems to come performance editions have a need for speed. Call it a yearning if you like. To meet that need Audi has confirmed that they are working on the Audi S1 performance version of the A1 hatchback. That is great news for performance and Audi enthusiasts who like to keep their cars footprint on the smaller side. However, two other pieces of news came out of the announcement that doesn’t get us revving our engines on this side of the pond.

First, Audi has said that the Audi S1, due out in 2011, will not be sold in the United States. Now this is mostly likely a cost issue since the company doesn’t currently sell the A1 platform in the states either. With cars like the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2010 MINI Cooper and Cooper S and VW Golf R32 it is hard for us to see why the A1 wouldn’t have a market here. However, money talks and Audi has decided they don’t want to sell it in the U.S. It is a bummer thought, especially with a 182-horsepower 1.4-liter twin turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox doesn’t hurt either. We hope they change their mind, but for now we will have to drool...I mean admire from afar.

The second piece of news is that Volkswagen has ruled out a Polo R edition—period. So for now people will have to settle for S1 or possibly another R edition Volkswagen, at least they will if they want to keep their money within the Audi/VW family. The silver lining to this cloud is that VW has confirmed that they are working on a Jetta R edition, which they say could share the Golf R’s turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder configuration.

I have heard that the only way the automakers will change there mind is if there is enough demand, so if you really want to see a car like the S1 stateside, then let them know. That goes for small diesel cars too!

 

Be sure to check out our other recent stories this month right here at AllSmallCars.com.[Source: Edmunds InsideLine]