Audi has come up with an ultimate version of its A1 city car to give the word hot-hatch a whole new meaning.

The Audi A1 Quattro is a four-wheel-drive, 256-hp sportscar disguised as a fluffy hatchback. There are of course a couple of telltale signs to let you know this thing means business.

The Quattro comes with a muscular front bumper, new side skirts, a roof spoiler and a bespoke rear apron that set it apart from normal models. The exhaust system terminates in two polished dual tailpipes on the left and the right, each measuring 100 millimeters (3.94 in) in diameter. The roof is finished in high-gloss black and the lights and the rear window are also tinted. The body is available only in Glacier White metallic.

Another cool feature of the exterior is the set of exclusive turbine design 18-inch wheels fitted with 225/35-series tires. Behind them you find 312 millimeters brake discs gripped by black calipers.

The engine is a 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder boosted with some meaty turbocharger for an output of 188 kW/256 hp and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft). Performance-wise it does 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 245 km/h (152.24 mph). Estimated fuel consumption is 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (27.67 US mpg).

The A1 Quattro features Audi’s permanent AWD system, plus an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch, six-speed transmission, and electronic differential lock (EDL). All that means this little car is extremely versatile and can be fast on almost any surface.

This top of the range model is also fully loaded in terms of equipments and has a cool and sporty interior with lots of leather and aluminum accents. Available from the second half of 2012, Audi A1 Quattro is limited to just 333 units worldwide.