Automotive World

The more practical, five-door version of the A1 has the same length as the three door model at 3.95 meters (12.96 ft) but is several millimeters taller and wider thus offering a little more space in the rear seats – though don't expect any wonders.. In addition, buyers can order the Sportback with either a four- or five-seat layout at no extra cost.

The A1 special is based on the three-door model with the 122HP 1.4 TFSI petrol engine and features the team's traditional blue and white colors accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag. It rides on unique 18-inch wheels painted in red.

On-the-road prices will start from £13,980 and top out at £21,270, which represent a £560 premium model-for-model over three-door A1. First deliveries will begin in the spring of 2012.

The connection with its three-door sibling can be seen in the styling, though Audi's designers did manage to add 6mm in both width and height to improve interior space. The five-door model's length (3.95mm) and wheelbase of 2.47m are identical to the three-door version.

The A1 Sportback comes standard with four seats, but Audi does offer a fifth seat on request at no extra charge. According to the German company, headroom and shoulder room have each been increased by around one centimeter (0.39 in) over the three-door model.

And now we can show it to you in production form for the very first time thanks to an unceremonious online unveiling, courtesy of Russian website Cars.ru.

According to the author of the article, the exterior dimensions of the Sportback remain almost the same compared to the three-door model at 3.95m long, 1.42m tall and 1.75m wide with a wheelbase of 2.47m.

The exterior styling is what you would expect it to be: an A1 with five doors – nothing special here other than that the Sportback will be available with contrasting roof colors. The same goes for the interior, the only difference being that it is now easier to access the rear seats.

The first new specification is the A1 Black Edition that is offered exclusively with 185PS 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine or the newly introduced 143PS 2.0-litre TDI.

Audi has provided a fleet of 20 extended-range A1 e-tron electric vehicles, while E.ON and SWM have installed charging infrastructure both within the city limits and in surrounding areas.