The Audi S1 has to face some fresh competition coming from the MINI John Cooper Works so a visual comparison between the two is relevant for those who are in the market for a small yet punchy hatchback. The starting prices of the two are very similar as the S1 begins at €29,950 whereas the JCW will cost around €29,900 once it will go on sale in April next year.
The all-wheel drive Audi S1 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine outputting 231 HP (170 kW) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) whereas the MINI John Cooper Works has a TwinPower 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at the same 231 HP but torque is down to 320 Nm (236 lb-ft).
In terms of performance, the Audi S1 sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.8 seconds before topping out at an electronically-capped 155 mph (250 km/h). As for the range-topping MINI, it’s half a second slower in the sprint due to the significantly lower amount of torque and also because it has a front-wheel drive layout.
Although it’s not as quick as the Audi S1, the MINI John Cooper Works still has a few aces up its sleeve, such as the more stylish design and the funkier interior cabin design.
In the end, it depends on the preferences of the customers as some will prioritize performance while others believe looks are more important.
