NEW AUDI S3 CABRIOLET UNVEILED

The Audi S3 Cabriolet is now on sale, priced from £38,910 and set to arrive in the UK this September.

Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, it features a 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, which drives all four wheels via a six-speed S tronic transmission.

0-62mph takes 5.4 seconds, slightly down on other models in the range owing to a 200kg higher kerbweight. Economy also takes a hit, dropping to a claimed 38.8mpg compared to the equivalent S3 saloon’s 40.9mpg, while CO2 emissions are up 6g/km to 165g/km.

As with the standard A3 Cabriolet, the roof drops electronically in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph, and is made with three-layers of inner padding to minimise wind and road noise when up. Marking the S3 Cabriolet out are 19-inch alloys and bi-xenon headlights, plus 25mm lower sports suspension, beefed-up bumpers and a platinum grey finish for the grille.

Inside, Audi has added a flat-bottomed three spoke multi-function steering wheel, and elsewhere there are stainless steel pedals, bespoke instrument dials and an integrated boost gauge for the rev counter. Marking the interior out are S logos embossed onto the heated front seats, which are finished in ‘Fine Nappa’ leather and contrasting silver stitching.

For customers seeking added exclusivity, there are two optional exterior paint schemes – pearl-effect ‘Sepang’ blue and crystal-effect ‘Panther’ black – and a ‘Parade’ red design package. This adds black and red velvet to the seats and door inserts, alongside contrasting stitching for the seats, leather steering wheel and gearstick.

Also set to join the convertible A3 range is a new 182bhp 2.0-litre TDI, the first cabrio in the model line-up offered with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. Apparently capable of over 65mpg in manual, front-wheel drive form, it arrives over here in October costing from £29,735