Cheapest new Audi ever

Audi has lowered the entry price of its Australian model range by more than $3000 to $26,500 (plus on-road costs) with the launch of the five-door A1 Sportback.

A 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine now leads the way for the A1 line-up, which previously started with the 1.4-litre three-door A1 at $29,900.

The A1 Sportback 1.4-litre is next line, at $29,900 with a six-speed manual transmission or $32,250 if equipped with an S-tronic seven-speed dual-clutch auto. An up-spec 'Ambition' pack is available for the mid-range Sportback, for $3550.

Matching the petrol A1 1.4 model on price is a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel option (with manual or auto), while the range-topping A1 1.4 Sport auto starts at $42,500.

The direct-injection, turbocharged 1.2 doesn't stack up to its competitors in terms of performance output, with 63kW/160Nm compared to the similarly equipped Polo's 77kW/175Nm, and comes with a five-speed manual only instead of the little VW's six-speed. However, the ratios work well enough with the plucky engine, which is rated as using 5.1L/100 on the combined cycle.

All Sportback models come with a fuel-saving idle-stop function as standard. Most efficient in the range is the 66kW/230Nm diesel, rated at 3.8L/100km.

No surprise the five-door derivatives of Audi's smallest model aren't much different to the three-door versions released 18 months ago to great effect, but they do offer more flexibility with the bonus of three rear seats.

According to Audi Australia spokespersons, the A1 has not sliced far into A3 sales. Rather, the new hatch has attracted more customers; several of them conquests.

Visit motoring.com.au again for our upcoming launch review.