Audi unveils A1 citycarver tallboy hatch

AUDI has ripped the covers off its A1 citycarver jacked-up light hatch, which features new exterior styling, an increased ride height and new infotainment technologies, however it is still yet to be determined whether the new model will come to Australia.

Audi Australia corporate communications manager Shaun Cleary said the A1 citycarver was currently being evaluated for our market, however availability for the model would be difficult regardless of whether it is brought here or not.

If it does arrive here, it will likely be after the European launch, with examples set to go on sale in coming months.

The regular new-generation A1 Sportback, first revealed in June last year, has still not arrived in Australia despite being hopeful of a release in the first half of this year, with the delay due to complications from the move to standardised fuel and emissions testing under the new WLTP standard.

Compared to the A1 Sportback, the defining factor of the A1 citycarver is its exterior appearance, offering roughly four centimetres of extra ground clearance over the Sportback with suspension lifted by 35mm and larger wheels than the Sportback, which start at 16 inches in size.

A matte-black Singleframe grille gives the citycarver a more off-road look, as do the wheelarches and side sills which feature black cladding. Underbody protection also gives the citycarver a rough-road feel.

Nine colours are available for the citycarver, with black or grey two-tone colours available for the roof, complementing the black cladding around the bottom of the vehicle.

An optional Dynamic package is available which bundles brake discs with red callipers, an Audi Drive Select dynamic handling system, suspension with adaptive dampers, and a sound actuator.

Wheels up to 18 inches in diameter are also available.

Equipment largely mirrors that of the Sportback, as does its dimensions with 335 litres of luggage space.

Inside, the citycarver scores a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring voice control, while live traffic information, Google Earth, parking information and Wi-Fi hotspot are available optionally.

Wireless charging and a 560-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system are also included.

Three interior trim packages are offered, including advanced, design selection and S line, the latter of which comes with an ambient lighting package and can be had with Alcantara/synthetic leather seats.

No mention has been made of the powertrains underpinning the A1 citycarver, meaning it is likely they use the same engines as the Sportback which start with a 70kW three-cylinder 25 TFSI variant up to the 147kW 2.0-litre 40 TFSI unit.

The citycarver goes on sale in Europe in the third quarter of this year.