Audi SA has added another new model to its local line-up, the A1 Sportback. Much like in the A3, the Sportback nomenclature refers to the addition of two extra doors to the regular three-door hatchback body style. Since the A1’s introduction last year, over 2 100 units have found homes with local customers and adding the practicality of two more doors is bound to make the A1 more attractive to a larger customer base.
A1 Sportback does not differ markedly from the two door variant. In profile there is a slightly longer roofline and you would have to be a real anorak to note the extra 6 mm of width in the rump. The elongated roofline does help create extra headroom – a claimed 11 mm – for rear occupants. Audi refers to the A1 Sportback’s seating arrangement as 4+1, with the centre rear seat only ideal for small passengers. Incidentally, the A1 can be specified with just four seats and takes on that form naturally if buyers opt for a panoramic roof.
The newcomer will be offered with exactly the same set of engine/transmissions as its two-door siblings (see below for details). On the launch I had the opportunity to sample two of the direct injection turbopetrol derivatives, the 90 kW and 136 kW models. These drive exactly like their counterparts with no trace of the extra doors, or metal, in evidence whatsoever. Even at the rarefied atmosphere of the reef the force-fed engines churn out plenty of power to remain entertaining. However, the A1 Sportback still exhibits the 3-door’s choppy ride.
For young execs looking to buy into the Audi brand but still maintain a level of practicality the A1 Sportback will make good sense, and it may just remain useful when a few rugrats enter the equation. Look at the pricing carefully, though. Even if you opt for an entry level model and add a few extras the price starts to climb into A3 and A3 Sportback territory and that is a car we rate very highly.
Model Power (kW) Torque (Nm) Top Speed (km/h) Price
A1 1,2T FSI Attraction manual 63 160 180 R227 400
A1 1,4T FSI Attraction manual 90 200 203 R242 500
A1 1,4T FSI Attraction S tronic 90 200 203 R260 000
A1 1,4T FSI Ambition manual 90 200 203 R260 500
A1 1,4T FSI Ambition S tronic 90 200 203 R278 000
A1 1,4T FSI S line S tronic 136 250 227 R319 500
A1 1,6 TDI Ambition manual 77 250 190 R254 500
