It’s been quite a long time since I enjoyed driving a new car as much as I enjoyed driving the new Audi A1 Sportback.

Obviously the first thing you’re going to say is: “But that’s not an A1. It has 4 doors. It must be some sort of new-fangled custom A3 or something. Who let the Boksburger in? They carry knives y’know?!?”

You, however, would be wrong.

This is the new Audi A1 Sportback, which means it has two extra doors for some of your gangsta hoody mates to get in, and, actually, that’s about all it has.

No I’m serious. That’s it. There’s basically nothing else to set this model apart from the original two-door Audi A1.

Both models have the same length: 3.95m
The boot is the same size: 270 litres
Both models have all the same model ranges available in the 3-door: a 63kw 1.2-litre TFSi; a 77kw 1.6-litre TDi; a 90kw 1.4-litre TFSi and a 136kw 1.4-litre TFSi
Both models have all the amenities, gadgets and comforts you’ve become accustomed to on the inside of any Audi

One wonders why Audi even bothered?

Until you drive it.

Firstly, this car matures the hell out of the bratty, little A1 3-door. It gives you 2 extra doors with accompanying backseat to go with them, and these aren’t just “implied” seats either. Those who don’t call “shotgun” in time will get to enjoy 11mm more headroom and 6mm more elbow room in the back.

Secondly, and more philosophically, this car gives very young people with rich parents the opportunity to buy into a premium compact hatch at a price less than the one-up A3. Car manufacturers call that “planning for the future”.

Audi assure me this isn’t a car that’s going to put sales of the mighty A3 at risk either. They call the A1 Sportback a “conquer car” as it’s aimed at getting new customers into the Audi lifestyle, not at offering them a new, cheaper option to a more expensive car.

By adding two doors to the back, Audi have also without knowing it created one of the most comfortable and well balanced cars for in town driving and especially on autobahn country roads (cops don’t trap as far out as Lanseria, right?).

I got into the Sportback in fear that I’d feel the same way I did about the Mini Countryman when I drove that: underwhelmed and disappointed in a loss of performance.

2 Audi designers…one for each new door!

In the Sportback though, while you might lose out on performance, it’s replaced by the brilliance of travelling comfortably at whatever speed you want (without cruise control obvs) just by keeping your foot where it is. Smoother than slipping it past the goalie on Sunday morning.

If asked, I would have to suggest going for the 90kw. No! I haven’t lost my mind. It really is enough power for a person living in a city like Jo’burg. The 63kw will probably just frustrate you, and the 136kw will get you locked up for the weekend. And the judge really does only come in again on Monday.

63kW 1.2T FSI Attraction manual – R227 400
90kW 1.4T FSI Attraction manual – R242 500
90kW 1.4T FSI Attraction S tronic – R260 000
90kW 1.4T FSI Ambition manual – R260 500
90kW 1.4T FSI Ambition S tronic – R278 000
136kW 1.4T FSI S line S tronic – R319 500
77kW 1.6 TDI Ambition manual – R254 500