Prices now confirmed for new Audi premium compact cabriolet which will reach the UK in good time for top-down motoring.

The ideal antidote to the winter blues – the new Audi A3 Cabriolet – can be administered by Audi Centres from this week as the brand’s first premium compact class ‘open top’ opens for order in standard, Sport and S line trim with OTR prices ranging from £20,750 to £27,060. Deliveries will begin in May.

The guiding principle behind the latest Audi soft-top was the achievement of the best possible balance between the essential fun factor of a roadster and the refinement and day-to-day usability of a fixed roof premium class car. As a result, the A3 Cabriolet not only converts to topless mode and back extraordinarily rapidly, but also genuinely accommodates four passengers without ruling out impressive luggage capacity that is expandable thanks to the standard split/fold rear seat.

The majority of the strong and responsive TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines powering the A3 and A3 Sportback are carried over to the new Cabriolet, including the 160PS 1.8 TFSI petrol, the 200PS 2.0 TFSI petrol, the 105PS 1.9 TDI and the 2.0 TDI with common rail piezo fuel injection, developing 140PS. These are combined with either a five or six-speed manual gearbox, depending on version, or the option, for all models bar the 1.9 TDI, of the acclaimed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

Standard versions of the A3 Cabriolet will boast a generous equipment list that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, powered windows and mirrors, a Chorus radio with single CD drive and semi-automatic hood operation – the hood is attached to and released from the windscreen rail manually but retracts and raises at the touch of a button.

On top of this, the Sport specification, costing an additional £1,850, combines features such as larger 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and sports seats with fully automatic hood operation, which adds automated ‘hands-free’ detachment from, and attachment to, the windscreen rail, plus a wind deflector. The hood also incorporates additional acoustic insulation, maximising the potential for enjoyment of the upgraded Concert radio.

True to the formula that elsewhere in the Audi range already appeals to more UK customers than any other, the new S line specification for the A3 Cabriolet supplements the Sport equipment list externally with larger 18-inch 7 twin-spoke alloy wheels and S line body styling including exclusive front and rear bumper design. Inside, it adds extras such as leather and Sprint cloth combination upholstery embossed with the S line insignia, an S line multifunction sports steering wheel with paddle shift controls (where automatic transmission is specified), a perforated leather gear knob and matt brushed aluminium inlays. S line specification carries a premium of £1,550 over the price of a Sport model.

Reviews:

Reviewed by Glenn Adams from Herne Bay on 25 April 2008

Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport: This car has the most special quality I have ever found in a car. I am the most aggressive short tempered unforgiving pig that has ever walked this Earth. Everything that is not absolutely perfect winds me up. I hate driving. I hate travelling. I love this car .