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  The A1 Sportback overall package is precision built and will have most owners proudly proclaiming its virtues. Photo Gallery

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the Audi A1 Sportback at its international launch.

The A1 opened doors for Audi in the prestige light car class. Now the five-door Sportback model is going to prop those doors open as the company looks to consolidates its lead over the Mini Cooper/Countryman duo. 

The three-door A1 has been on sale in Australia since last year and the addition of a five-door version will the hatch with the four-ring badge much more attractive to young families and those who regularly put passengers in the rear seats. 

VALUE 

Audi Australia has yet to finalise prices for the five-door Sportback range but company spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf says the aim is to have it on sale for less than $1000 more than a comparable three-door A1.

That would put a base five-door automatic model (manuals only account for a quarter of A1 sales) at around $33,000 plus on-roads.

Most buyers will spend more though, given connectivity features such as satnav and Bluetooth with audio streaming are bundled in "packages" and will be seen as must-have features for the 30-45-year-old demographic target. Which bits you must have will depend entirely on the budget.

TECHNOLOGY 

The running gear is shared with the A1 three-door - which in turn is based on the Volkswagen Polo - and includes three turbocharged engines. 

Fuel efficiency is their strong suit, with the diesel officially rated at 3.8 litres/100km, running up to the 136kW turbo petrol engine at 5.9 litres/100km.

That's impressive by any standards and the combination of direct injection and turbocharging gives the engines serious mid-range grunt given their relatively small capacity.

There are 2.0-litre Asian engines that can't match their real-world practicality. The seven-speed dual-clutch auto is slick and seamless around town, but comes with the VW Group's signature hesitation off the line. 

STYLING 

The five-door still looks like a three-door in silhouette. It is only 6mm higher and 6mm wider. The contrasting-coloured roof arches on the three-door have been extended to the entire top on the five-door model with the choice of three colours - black, silver and grey. 

The B-pillars have been moved forward by 23mm, given the front doors no longer have to be as long, which has helped create 11mm more head and 13mm extra shoulder room for those in the back. Three adults will be a definite squeeze, but two won't complain about the conditions on short runs. 

SAFETY 

Five stars are a formality given the three-door already has the top rating and Audi says the new car is only 25kg heavier than its sibling. The car has been designed to wear low-speed hits but individual sections of the bumper can be replaced if the carpark ding damages the looks. There are six airbags and the electronic stability system isn't as intrusive as some, though it's just as effective. 

DRIVING 

There's enough poke in the 136kW petrol to keep wannabe racers entertained and give most people the mid-range rush needed to pass a big semi-trailer without any worry at highway speeds. Hefty application of the right foot will provoke some torque steer before the ESP tidies things  up and the same applies with understeer if you dive into a corner too quickly.

The ride is typically Audi firm - fine for me but regular back seat passengers may complain it's not compliant enough over the bumps. But the overall package is precision built and will have most owners proudly proclaiming its virtues. 

VERDICT 

The Sportback adds practicality to the three-door A1 without sacrificing style. Here's hoping Audi Australia can get it in at the price they hope - and that the must-have features you need to hit the options list for (like Bluetooth) don't cripple what is a very competitive starting price.

Audi A1 Sportback 

Price: From $30,400 (estimate)
Warranty: Three years/unlimited km
Service intervals: 12 months/15,000km
Engines: 1.4-litre turbo petrol, 90kW/200Nm; 1.4-litre turbo petrol 136kW/250Nm;
1.6-litre turbodiesel, 66kW/230Nm
Trans: Five-speed manual (diesel), six-speed manual (petrol), seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Body: Five-door hatch
Dimensions: 3954mm (L), 1746mm (W), 1422mm (H), 2469mm (WB)
Weight: 1140kg-1290kg
Thirst: 3.8 litres/100km, 99g/km CO2 (66kW diesel); 5.4 litres/100km 95RON, 124g/km CO2 (90kW petrol);
5.9 litres/100km 95 RON, 139g/km CO2 (136kW petrol)

Others to consider

VW Polo GTI

Price: $28,990
Engine: 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder, 132kW/250Nm
Trans: Seven-speed automatic
Body: Five-door hatch
Thirst: 6.1 litres/100km 95RON, 132g/km CO2
"Lacks the luxury but the price is hard to go past"

Alfa Romeo MiTo QV

Price: $34,990
Engine: 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder, 125kW/220Nm
Trans: Six-speed manual
Body: Five-door hatch
Thirst: 6.0 litres/100km 95RON, 139g/km CO2
"Great engine let down by the chassis/suspension"

BMW 1 Series hatch

Price: $39,593
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder 100kW/220Nm
Trans: Six-speed manual
Body: Five-door hatch
Thirst: 5.7 litres/100km 95 RON, 132g/km CO2
"More room in the back and rear-wheel drive"