Audi A1 Sportback (2012) first official pictures

Audi is expanding the A1 range with the long-anticipated five-door, the new A1 Sportback.

The five-door A1 arrives in showrooms in spring 2012. You won't mistake it -although it's the same length as the three-door A1, at 3950mm, it's 6mm taller and wider to pack in more space for heads and doors.

The wheelbase is the same, but those extra doors have a noticeable effect on the stance.

Audi's shrewdly chosen to issue first pictures of a car with the Sportback-only Samoa Orange colour scheme and optional roof graphic to differentiate it further from the three-door regular A1.

All UK-bound Sportbacks will come with five seats as standard, though you can spec a four-seat configuration for no charge. We can't really see the point, can you?

At first Brits will be offered a choice of four TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, with a spread of muscle stretching from 85bhp to 182bhp.

It's a few millimetres here and there, if we're being honest. Anyone with kids will appreciate the extra pair of doors, but the 270-litre boot is identical to the three-door A1's.

UK prices for the new A1 Sportback kick off from £13,980.

By Tim Pollard