The new Audi A1 'citycarver' is a lightly raised city car

Welcome to a lightly-crossovered Audi A1. Called the ‘citycarver’ – yep, all lowercase – it’s basically a normal A1 with 4cm of extra ground clearance for “easier entry and better visibility”. So much for the cool, urban youth – sounds like this thing’s aimed squarely at the elderly and infirm...

Besides the extra ride height you get black plastic wheel arch extensions, new front and rear fascias (with two slots above the radiator grille, to the normal A1’s three) and different sills. Inside however, it’s standard A1 – meaning you can have Audi’s Virtual Cockpit paired with a 10.25in MMI display. Specs and prices haven’t been confirmed, but it looks as though the citycarver will come with bags of kit as standard.

Order books open in September here in the UK, where the only two available engines will be the 114bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder, or the 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder. These are both petrols, and will be badged 30 and 35 TFSI respectively.

History doesn’t remember cars like the A1 citycarver particularly kindly (Rover Streetwise, anyone?). But there’s a chance this thing could be a decent A1 – the extra ride height could soften the firm ride, and give another point of differentiation over what is little more than a Seat Ibiza in a posh frock.

Read the Top Gear review of the regular Audi A1 by clicking right here.