Offered as a five-door, the `S1 Sportback` keeps the full `S1` recipe in a body that is easier to live with every day. Against a lively BMW 1 Series, it remains a very specific proposition: shorter, firmer and rarer, yet more usable than a pure three-door if you still want some practicality. Used, it often appeals to buyers who want a fast small Audi without giving up rear seats.
The heart of the car is still the `2.0 TFSI` `EA888` `CWZA`, the `6-speed` manual gearbox and `Haldex`-type all-wheel drive. As on the `S1`, everything depends on regular oil services, cooling quality, clutch condition and the care given to the driveline. The Sportback mainly adds a different usage pattern: more town driving, more load, and sometimes more stress on the suspension components and bushes.