Tokyo Motor Show: 2012 Audi A1 Sportback Offers Much-Needed Practicality

The 2012 Audi A1 Sportback, a five-door version of the A1 premium supermini, has been unveiled, ahead of the start of European sales early next year. Identical in style and profile to its three-door sibling, the more practical A1 Sportback offers better access to the rear and an extra 6 mm in both width and height, improving the rear room which has been criticised for being lacking.

Audi says the headroom and shoulder-room in the A1 Sportback have increased by around one centimetre, respectively, compared with the A1 three-door model's. The length and wheelbase remain unchanged, so the legroom should stay the same. Four seats come as standard, though Audi will install a three-seat rear bench for you at no charge if you so request. The boot capacity ranges from the default 270 litres to 920 litres when the rear seatbacks are folded flat.

As usual European buyers are pampered with a range of turbocharged engines including three petrol units (86 HP 1.2-litre TFSI, 122 HP 1.4-litre TFSI and 185 HP 1.4-litre TFSI) and three diesel units (90 HP 1.6-litre TDI, 105 HP 1.6-litre TDI and 143 HP 2.0-litre TDI). When the Audi A1 Sportback arrives next year, Malaysians are likely to get the same single powertrain configuration now offered on the A1 three-door model: a 122 HP, 200 Nm 1.4-litre TFSI engine mated to a seven-speed S-tronic transmission. Enjoy the live photo gallery of the 2012 Audi A1 Sportback below!