Audi still planning S1 to go with VW's Polo R - both will be all-wheel drive

Volkswagen Group has apparently revised its plans for the Polo R and Audi S1 models and will now build those two models with all-wheel drive systems.

According to Autocar, the German automaker will re-engineer its PQ25 platform to allow for all-wheel drive production and manufacture the Polo R and allow for Audi to also build an S1 model (based on the A1) with Quattro technology.

Initially, VW had announced the Polo R would be a front-wheel drive model only, unlike its all-wheel drive siblings the Golf R and Scirocco R.

Also, Audi had planned to name the A1 1.4 TFSI that it debuted at the Paris motor show an S1, but it subsequently dropped the S label because the model was not an all-wheel drive and Audi did not want to dilute the performance image of the S-brand. The car did come, though, with an S-line trim [pictured here].

VW has already taken the Polo R to an advanced stage of development. And the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI that debuted at the Paris show featuring 136 kW (185 PS / 182 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque can easily be turned into an S1 when fitted with a Quattro system. Audi may decide to tune that power plant for more wattage or offer a new, more powerful engine on the S1 altogether.

The new production platform may also lead to a CrossPolo model, according to Autocar, which was a key element in Volkswagen's decision to convert the PQ25 platform. Allowing for a third all-wheel drive model to be built on the platform helps make the business case for the conversion.