This Is The Ultimate 400BHP Audi A1 by ABT

The Audi A1 has always been a favourite of mine. It’s small and nippy, while maintaining an undercover aesthetic that people don’t bat an eyelid at. This thing isn’t quite like that, though.

This one-off Audi A1 has been created by ABT for Formula E racer, Daniel Abt, son of the owner of ABT, and boasts a number of not-so-subtle modifications. The most obvious being the two-tone wrap, featuring a geometric pattern printed over a red and matt black background. Erik Aleksanjan was the designer behind the design and should be applauded for it.

The body has obviously been altered, too, with widened arches, blades and diffusors at the front, and a massive wing at the rear with a diffusor to match. The 19″ wheels ooze Formula E, featuring the ‘aero ring’ design in gold and black, and if you still don’t believe it’s a car made for racing, there’s a roll cage where the rear seats should be.

Now, the important bit. The original engine was pulled out and was replaced by a 2.0-litre TFSI from an Audi TT Cup racer – of course. That alone produced a whacking great 310bhp for the small car, but this wasn’t enough for a driver used to pure electric torque. So, with an invasive tune from the bright minds at ABT, they were able to squeeze 400bhp out of it.

With its fully stainless steel exhaust, Daniel says it’s going to have an “awesome” sound, too.

“It was the biggest project of 2019 which demanded a great deal of us,” explains Daniel. From where I’m standing, it was totally worth it.