Adding more sport into a model range can often mean adding a spoiler, fat alloys and some side skirts or a front air dam. But with Audi, when they say “Sportback” they mean subtle changes to add visual impact and an extra pair of doors. The main difference between the Audi A1 Sportback and its Audi A1 three-door sibling is in the amount of space you’ll gain inside the cabin as well as the added ease for rear passengers to enter the cabin through having their own doors.

The Audi A1 Sportback is taller and wider than its three door sibling. This extra gain in space makes for a roomier cabin. Audi have offered the A1 Sportback to those of us who might have a small family, and the need to access the rear seats is a top priority. Not only is the A1 Sportback larger than the three door models, there are a few things that happen to be solely for the Sportback versions. For starters, the gorgeous metallic orange paint work is only given to the Sportback versions, and a long contrasting roof adds even more style. Adding the space with the extra doors means that the luggage space is 270 litres with the back seats up, and 920 litres with the back seats folded flat. Ok, it’s a bit of a squeeze for three adults across the back seat, so it’s best to aim for carrying just the two big people or three little people in the rear.

As we’ve come to like with Audi cars, everything inside the cabin is impeccably turned out. The dash houses four silver-lined air vents that are spherical in their shape, while a nicely placed display screen for on-board functions flips up from out of the centre dash zone. Materials are premium, and there isn’t really any other car in its class that touches the Audi A1 Sportback for high-end class. Heaps of top features are available throughout the cabin, while the gem of them all is, perhaps, the ability to plug in your iPods and iPads to surf the internet at any stage. Having the WiFi access in your car is a big step forward to keeping right up with busy life in modern times.

Engine choice for the Audi A1 Sportback is good. Actually, the choice is the same for the A1 three door versions. At 99 g/km for CO2 emissions, the 1.6 TDI is exceptionally clean and green for the environmentally conscious. A 1.4 TFSi petrol version is brand new for the Audi A1 models, and is actually at the top echelon of its class. This is a four-cylinder petrol engine that has some clever engine technology that enables it to run on two cylinders for light throttle use – thus saving big-time on fuel and lowering its emission output to a class leading 109 g/km. Fun to drive, the engine has plenty of power for the Sportback shape and feels happy to spin freely up to the redline in any gear. A 1.2 TFSi engine is also available, and this engine puts out a sprightly 63 kW, but for the performance buffs, the hot hatch in the Audi A1 Sportback range is theAudi A1 TFSI Sport with 136 kW. A standstill to 100 km/h sprint can be completed in 7.0 seconds, while the car can quickly run to its top speed of 227 km/h given half a chance. On average, this hot engine consumes only 6.0 litres/100 km and emits just 139 grams of CO2 per km.

Another clever Audi addition to the FWD A1 Sportback is the electronic differential at the front which ensures that an even grip is felt for both the steering tyres in fast, tight corners. Essentially, the feature brakes the wheel with the least grip and allows you to accurately exit corners quickly. Obviously, the Audi A1 Sportback is a small, light car, so this translates to a great feeling of speed and agility on the road. Take the Audi A1 Sportback into town, and the car feels relaxed enough over all sorts of road surfaces. Zip along in the country, and the five-door Audi A1 Sportback has a plush ride for such a small car, remaining quiet at speed. No annoying rattles or squeaks are evident from anywhere in the quality Sportback interior.

If you’re looking for a winner in the small hatch class, then the Audi A1 Sportback versions offer some stiff competition that is very hard to beat.

The current Audi A1 Sportback models include:

• A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI
• A1 Sportback 1.2 TFSI
• A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI
• A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Sport

For any more information on the new Audi A1 Sportback or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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