Boasting a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder borrowed from VW’s golf R, the S1 is off to a good start. With 0-60 being taken care of in under 6 seconds (5.8 to be precise), the S1 delivers big power and spec yet a compact and agile chassis. The S1 lump creates a modest sounding yet immensely effective 228bhp with a classy exhaust note to boot.
The interior is nothing short of spectacular for a car of its class. If you compare the Fiesta ST, Corsa VXR and other similarly sized hot hatches, the S1 is frankly in a class of its own. Lashings of leather, brushed aluminium and anodised switches; literally everything you touch feels exquisitely designed and manufactured. I feel the “hot hatch” is a lost art form. In my opinion, it’s a stepping stone for young petrol-heads to enter the market. With most manufacturers now producing hatchbacks capable of over 400BHP, it feels the smaller compact cars are a thing of the past. Something the S1 harks back to beautifully.
The S1 is an immensely capable platform, I’ve seen these little beasts producing over 400BHP with bolt on parts. A young lads dream. Perfect for a little point scoring in hot hatch top trumps. The S1 was a little pricey on launch at around £27,000, however when you take into account the interior spec, a part time 4 wheel drive system (to bail you out of an ill advised corner entry) and the tune-ability. You’ve landed yourself an incredibly tactile platform with plenty more to offer.
S1’s can now be had from as little as £12,000. This I feel thrusts them right into the limelight as a cheap yet powerful hatchback. Which makes them a tremendous daily driver or weekend toy. The S1 adds a refreshing touch of class, to what can be at times, a somewhat chav like tier.
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