New Audi A3 Cabriolet debuts at Frankfurt 2013

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is the last piece of the puzzle for Audi’s MQB-based A3 range to be completely revamped. Like the three- and five-door A3 hatchbacks, the A3 Cabriolet now sits on a longer wheelbase, which grows from 2,580 to 2,600 mm. It’s also longer, wider, lower, and lighter.

The convertible roof is a soft cloth top with a glass rear window that can go up and down in less than 18 seconds. It works at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The soft top folds into the rear in three layers and sits on top of a tray – luggage space is about 287 litres.

The top is available in three exterior colours – Black, Gray or Brown, and the roofliner is available in either black or lunar silver. An active rollover protection system protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident, consisting of two spring-loaded plates that are recessed into the body.

Three trim lines are available for the A3 Cabriolet – Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente. The S-Line package is avialable for the Ambition line. Customers can choose cloth, leather or Alcantara/leather upholstery materials. There’s also a special Audi design selection colour called Lasso Brown.

Three engines are available at launch – a 1.4 litre TFSI doing 140 horsepower, a 1.8 litre TFSI doing 180 hp, and a 2.0 TDI diesel with 150 horses. A 110 hp 1.6 TDI diesel will be launched later. For these engines, a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission is used.

Audi has also announced that there will be a hot Audi S3 Cabriolet which uses a 300 hp/380 Nm 2.0 TFSI engine, mated to a higher rated six-speed S-Tronic transmission. The S3 is already available in three-door hatch, five-door Sportback and sedan bodystyles.

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