Rugged Audi A1 Citycarver arrives

A more rugged, crossover-style Audi A1 Citycarver has been launched in Europe to challenge cars like the Ford Fiesta Active not sold here.

Standing around 50mm taller than the regular A1 hatchback, the Audi A1 Citycarver is effectively an A1 'allroad', but Audi says it will reserve its established allroad name for cars with all-wheel drive.

Apart from more ground clearance, the Audi A1 Citycarver features tougher black plastic fender guards, more pronounced side sills and a redesigned front and rear bumper that appear to hint at silver bash-plates.

The new octagonal grille, meanwhile, is said to draw direct inspiration from the car-maker's current 'Q' SUVs.

There are also 16-inch alloy rims (with larger 18s available). The result, Audi hopes, is an A1 that looks far more rugged and will appeal to those who really want a small crossover or SUV.

Beneath the bonnet, Audi is likely to offer the little A1 Citycarver with either an 85kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo (badged 30TFSI) or a more powerful 110kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that gets a 35TFSI nameplate.

Following on from its launch, a fast 147kW 2.0-litre turbo is also tipped to join the range, gifting the small A1 Citycarver hot hatch-levels of performance.

Appealing to buyers who like to personalise their car, Audi says the rugged A1 will be available in nine different colours with either a black or grey roof. There's also the option of stainless steel, grey or gloss black exterior trim.

An optional styling pack will be offered too.

Unusually, for those who enjoying, Audi will also offer the current A1's dynamic pack with the Citycarver, which includes a brake upgrade, a sound actuator and Audi drive select that adds adaptive dampers and different driving modes.

Inside, again, there's plenty of choice to make your small Audi individual, with trim accents finished in copper, mint, orange or grey.

As standard, the higher-riding hatch gets a 10.1-inch infotainment system, voice control, Audi's virtual cockpit digital instrument panel and a premium sound system.

In Europe, there's the choice of three trims -- Advanced, Design Selection or S Line, with the latter adding leather seats, a roof spoiler and larger-still alloy wheels.

The Audi A1 Citycarver goes on sale in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year, but prices are yet to be announced. Audi Australia says it is unlikely to become available in the near term here, where the new-generation Audi A1 hatch arrive in November.