Five-door, five-seat versatility meets exemplary quality, efficiency and technological sophistication in the new A1 Sportback, an even more user-friendly addition to the acclaimed premium subcompact range that will become available in the UK later this month and will reach its first customers here in the spring of 2012. Carrying a modest £560 premium over each equivalent three-door A1 in exchange for greater convenience and five-seat capability, the A1 Sportback will be priced from £13,980 OTR.

Although its compact, city-friendly dimensions very closely follow those of the three-door A1, the A1 Sportback is actually six millimetres taller and six millimetres wider, and inside offers slightly more head room and shoulder room as a result. It also makes provision for an extra passenger - up to three can pass through its rear doors and take a seat, each of them protected by a headrest and full three-point seatbelt.

Luggage compartment capacity is on a par with the three-door A1 at 270 litres with the backrests of the standard split/folding rear seat in place or 920 litres with the seat folded. The L-shaped, retractable head restraints do not have to be removed to do this. The loading lip is a comfortably low 66 centimetres, and stowage can be further simplified by an optional luggage package featuring usefully divided storage compartments under the loading floor and other amenities.

Features common to the SE, Sport and S line options available for UK A1 Sportback models include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows and mirrors, split folding rear seat and a six-speaker single CD Concert audio system linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display.

Sport model additions include larger 16-inch wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver’s Information System, while S line versions upgrade with extras such as an exclusive S line exterior treatment including larger 17-inch alloy wheels, S line sports suspension and leather and cloth combination upholstery.