Audi looks as though it will be pushing its performance credentials hard over the next few years, as it appears to be planning an RS1 version of the Audi A1 and is edging closer to a green light for the Quattro concept..Actually, we already know that Audi is preparing a hot all-wheel-drive version of the A1, and is working with VW to develop a four-wheel-drive version of the group's PQ25 platform to underpin both a Polo R and the hot A1. What is news to us is that, according to German car mag Auto Bild, the fast A1 will be called RS1 rather than S1.

When it hits the market in early 2012, expect the RS1 (and thus probably also the Polo R) to hit the streets with about 220bhp.

The webosphere, meanwhile, is building up a fever pitch of excitement at the faster end of the hot Audi scale over the possibility that the rather lovely Audi Quattro Concept could reach production. Exactly in what guise this will be remains somewhat of a mystery, however.VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has told Motor Trend that "I want to do it" but that it would cost ?350m to adapt the RS5 platform. Winterkorn apparently sees the car as a full range with multiple engine options, and is after an annual volume of around 35,000 cars a year to keep the price at sensible levels.

Audi boss Rupert Stadler, meanwhile, is said to be more keen to make the Quattro as a one-model, low-volue special, saving tooling costs, but inevitably pushing the car's price up significantly.