Audi announces A3 Cabriolet

Audi has confirmed the pricing and specifications for the new A3 Cabriolet. Prices will start from £25,790 and the engine line-up will include the two petrols and one diesel. Order books are now open, with deliveries due to start in April 2014.

Audi’s latest soft-top is fitted with a fabric roof, stretched over a magnesium-steel frame, which will take 17 seconds to be raised or lowered. The kinematic mechanism can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph, but boot space is cut from 365 to 275 litres.

The A3 Cabrio will initially be available with just three engines – two petrols and one diesel – but Audi will extend the range in February and add more powerful powertrains, with the option of quattro all-wheel-drive.

The entry level 1.4 TFSI petrol engine gets cylinder-on-demand technology and is coupled to a six-speed manual ‘box. Power will be 140PS, which will propel the A3 from 0-62mph in nine seconds. Fuel efficiency is a claimed 56mpg while CO2 emissions are a respectiable 114g/km, which means 12 months road tax will cost just £30.

The larger 1.8-litre TFSI will be a standard four-cylinder affair, with 180PS and a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds. Capable of reaching a top speed of 150mph, the 1.8-litre engine is linked to a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, which returns 49mpg and 133g/km of CO2.

The 150PS 2.0 TDI diesel engine will top the range and return 67mpg and emit 110g/km of CO2. Top speed will be 139mph while the 0-62mph dash will take nine second.

The A3 will be available in three trims – SE, Sport and S line – and feature an all-aluminium bonnet, which reduces weight by 30 kilograms in comparison to the previous model. SE trim gets 16-inch alloy wheels, air con, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, while the Sport versions sit 15mm lower and gets 17-inch wheels. Dual-zone climate control is also included on all Sports editions and buyers can choose sports suspension at no extra cost.

The range topping S line improves the A3’s desirability with 18-inch alloys, sport styling and xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Deliveries will start in April 2014 and the engine range will be extended in February, with the addition of the 1.6 and 2.0 TDI. The potent 1.8 TFSI engine will also be available, matching the powertrain in the forthcoming 300PS S3 Cabriolet.

Audi A4 Cabrio prices: