Audi A3 Cabriolet Unveiled

Audi has unveiled the A3 Cabriolet today at its Györ plant in Hungary, ahead of next week’s Bologna Motor Show in Italy. As you’d expect with all Audi convertibles, the A3 Cabriolet sports a light weight fabric soft top that can be opened hydraulically at speeds of up to 18 mph. The body structure of the A3 Cabriolet has also been strengthened and contains a high proportion of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel for low weight and maximum rigidity. The roof frame and roll-over bar also incorporates hot-formed steels to maximize saftey .

The A3 Cabriolet will be available in two four-cylinder petrol and two four-cylinder TDI engine versions, all of which feature turbochargers and direct injection. These include the newly developed 1.8-liter TFSI petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 160 hp and 185 lb-ft. of torque; the larger capacity 2.0-liter TFSI petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 200 hp and 206 lb-ft. of torque; the 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of only 105 hp but a huge 185 lb-ft. of torque; and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine that produces a maximum power of 140 hp and 236 lb-ft. of torque.

All models will be available with six-speed manual transmission, except the .9-liter TDI which will have a five-speed manual transmission, and all, with the exception of the 1.9-liter TDI, will be available with optional S Tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet goes on sales in Germany in the first quarter of 2008, with no work yet on its availability in the U.S.