Author: Robin Roberts

More business buyers are expected to order the new-shape Audi A1 as deliveries begin this week.

The five-door, five-seater joins the range about 18 months after it launched with the three-door four seater. The UK became the second largest market worldwide outside Germany for A1 three-door sales with 18,500 registrations in 2011.

Over 20,000 sales are expected this year now the Sportback has joined the line-up, and even its range expands still further before the end of 2012.

Audi director Martin Sander said, “We have managed to position Audi as a progressive and modern premium brand which creates a lot of desire, we have an amazing product line up from A1 to A8 and we have a very professional dealer network and these three elements combine to drive our success.”

Since the A1 was introduced to the UK18-months ago, about 70pc of sales have been to buyers who were new to the brand and Mr Sander hopes they will stay and move into other Audi models in future.

The arrival of the more practical five-door and five-seat Sportback is expected to account for 60pc of all UK sales of the A1 with over half being petrol powered and 60pc the mid-range Sport trim with manual transmissions. A further 30pc are likely to be the top-spec S line with DSG auto box and many options, which run to a highly sophisticated entertainment and communications pack including Wi-Fi and Google mapping.

The new and more versatile five door Audi A1 Sportback models, priced from £13,980 to £21,270, are expected to outsell the current three door version by two to one.   The new Sportback versions carry a £560 price premium over the corresponding three door models but in addition to the rear doors you get electric rear windows in the deal.

Expect to see the A1 move onto company car management  lists in the near future, particularly with its attractive business car running costs.