The new Audi A3 Cabriolet will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. The new drop-top A3 will be available to order in the UK from late October, with the first customer deliveries expected for next March.
And the big news is that, unlike previous convertible A3s which were based on their hatchback counterparts, the new A3 Cabriolet is based on the A3 saloon. As a result of this, the new Cabriolet is 200mm longer than before and has a 20mm longer wheelbase.
However, despite the increase in size, the new car is 50kg lighter than its predecessor at 1365kg, largely due to the car's new MQB platform, which is shared by a number of VW Group cars.
The A3 Cabriolet features a fabric roof which is stretched over a lightweight mechanism made of magnesium steel. It takes just 18 seconds to open or close the roof at speeds of up to 31mph. When folded, the roof rests in a tray which Audi claims minimises the impact on luggage space. An 'acoustic roof' is also on offer as an option, with a thicker inner foam layer which reduces interior noise.
From launch, the A3 Cabriolet will be available with three newly-developed engines: a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol with 138bhp, a 1.8-litre TFSI petrol with 178bhp and a 2.0-litre diesel with 148bhp.
Other engines are due to join the line-up in time, including a 1.6-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol, which will power the new 296bhp S3 Cabriolet. The S3 Cabriolet will be capable of 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds but will return an impressive 39.8mpg.
On average, the new engines are around 12 per cent more efficient than the units used to power the last A3 Cabriolet range, with the 1.4-litre petrol able to return 56.5mpg and 114g/km of CO2.
Audi has yet to reveal any pricing or specification information for the new A3 Cabriolet; however, we expect more information to be revealed at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show.
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