Audi reveals five-door A1 Sportback 23 | 11 | 2011

IF YOU'VE BEEN PLANNING to buy a five-door Audi A1, the good news is the wait is almost over. The German company has unveiled the five-door version of its supermini, and plans to have it in Scottish showrooms early next year. Dealers are taking orders with the first cars due for delivery in the Spring.

Identical in size and style to the three-door, the five-door version is badged Audi A1 Sportback. And the good news is Audi designers and engineers have found an extra 6mm in both height and width: the bulk of it benefits the rear passengers.

With its annual sales rate already exceeding the 'projected' 18,000 units a year, the five-door will simply accelerate the sale spurt. The A1 Sportback should eventually account for about 70% of total sales.

When it enters Audi showrooms across Scotland, the Sportback will be available with the same four engine options with which the three-door began life: three petrols and one diesel.

See more official photos of the Audi A1 Sportback

The petrols range from a normally aspirated 1.2-litre with 84bhp to a turbocharged and supercharged 1.6 with 184bhp that comes as standard with a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox).

The diesel is Audi’s economy masterpiece, a 1.6-litre four producing 103bhp that emits just 99g/km of CO2. If you can hold on till next summer, you'll get the option of Audi's 141bhp, 184lb/ft 2.0-litre “performance” diesel.

Capable of an impressive 68.9mpg and 0-62mph time of 8.5s, the engine was recently introduced to the three-door range.

As you would expect, there's apprise premium for the extra two doors: the entry-level Sportback 1.2 SE five-door costs £13,980, a premium of £560 more than the corresponding three-door.

Read our roadtest of the stunning Audi RS3

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Jim McGill