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  The Sportback is the third model in the A5 stable, joining both the coupe and cabrio. Photo Gallery

They gave us a teaser photo last month but now we can show you the full monty: Audi?s new A5 Sportback.

The Sportback represents a return to luxury hatchback motoring for the well-heeled masses.

The arrival of the Sportback into Audi’s Australian showrooms will eclipse BMW by a few months. The Sportback range arrives in the first quarter next year ahead of the BMW 5-Series based Gran Turismo, which is slated for the second quarter. Audi's entrant will be on par with the BMW in the space race, but both will be far cheaper than the ‘other' German luxury hatch, the Porsche Panamera.

The Sportback is the third model in the A5 stable, joining both the coupe and cabrio. Audi says the A5 Sportback will forge a new segment for the brand.

As expected from the teaser images released several weeks ago, the Sportback does not depart too far from the Audi script. The five-door has short front and rear overhangs, long wheelbase and wide track while four frameless doors complete the dynamic look.

Inside the spacious cabin has enough room for four along with a large boot that increases from 480 to 980 litres with the rear seats folded. The rear seats also split-fold and there is a small ski-port for long items.

The luggage hatch is seamlessly integrated into the long, tapered tail end with flat C pillars.

A rear spoiler lip, diffuser insert and dual exhausts are not only functional but add visual presence to the rear.

Both TDI and FSI engines will be available, but Audi Australia is yet to finalise the range and pricing. However, both front and quattro all-wheel drive models are tipped, with prices expected to be slightly above equivalent A5 coupe models. The entry A5 coupe opens at $79,900 for the 2.0-litre TFSI.

In Europe, three direct injection petrol and three TDI engines will be available with Audi's multitronic automatic or seven-speed S-tronic automatic. All are equipped with a recuperation system that recovers energy during braking and deceleration, storing it temporarily in the battery.

Audi will initially offer three petrol and three diesel TDI engines, with a further three engines to follow next year. The petrol engines a 2.0-litre TFSI with 132kW or 155kW and the 3.2-litre V6 with 195kW are all equipped with the Audi valvelift system for variable control of valvelift. The three TDI engines will include a 125kW 2.0-litre four cylinder, 140kW 2.7-litre V6 and 176kW 3.0-litre V6. The 2.0-litre has a combined fuel economy figure of 5.2litres/100km and is coupled with a stop-start ignition system for better city economy.