Audi Q2 Books Are Now Open

Order books have already opened for Audi's new entry-level crossover. The Audi Q2 falls short of rivals in terms of the other premium German marques, however its closest competition includes popular cars like the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka X.

Just like the rest of Audi's range, The Q2 will come in three different guises - SE, Sport and S line.

The Audi Q2 SE features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard as well as Bluetooth, progressive steering, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors and 16-inch alloys. The interior inlays can be finished in white or orange, or for an additional charge you can make them matt brushed aluminium or even illuminated (part of the LED Interior Pack Advanced).

Sport adds cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, cloth sports seats and Audi drive select which allows the driver to alternate between 5 driving modes. The alloys also get an upgrade, to 17 inches, and this time the inlays are either red or yellow, no white or orange, however the two other options are still available.

Top-of-the-range S line brings with it the mandatory aggressive bodystyling and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, in addition to some smart tech such as LED headlights, tail lights and interior lights. The sports seats are finished in part leather, and this time you get brushed aluminium inlays as standard.

The C-pillar is under equally as strict rules as the dashboard inlays. SE gets Manhattan grey, Sport gets Ice silver (or Manhattan grey as an option), and S line gets matt Titanium grey (or Ice silver as an option). All three trims can alternatively specify Ibis white.

For those seeking something a little more special, the Audi Q2 Edition #1 delivers just that. Outside, the theme is grey - Quantum grey paint, Manhattan grey contrasting bumpers and skirts, and shocking  brilliant black C-pillar blades. If that's not enough, Audi will also include the black styling pack which adds a bit of style to the rear diffuser, exterior mirrors and single-frame front grille, and 19-inch diamond-cut gloss anthracite black rotor alloy wheels. Inside, the colour theme changes to brown - there's Amaretto brown contrast on the Fine Nappa leather sports seats, the floor mats, kneepads and door armrests.

The usual list of suspects appears time and time again in Audi's options list, and the Q2 is no different. This includes the Audi virtual cockpit, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert. It is worth noting that Audi pre sense front with pedestrian recognition comes as standard.

From the word go, the Germans are restricting us to two engines. The highly regarded 1.4 TFSI, a petrol engine that produces 148 bhp yet manages a claimed 54.3 mpg thanks to the capability of running off just two of four cylinders at cruising pace. The CO2 emissions of 119 g/km, 0-62 mph time of 8.5 seconds and top speed of 131 mph are all very favourable.

For the sensible ones, the 1.6 TDI is the best choice. The four-cylinder diesel engine will produce 114 bhp and an adequate 250 Nm of torque between 1,500-3,200 rpm. Audi claims 64.2 mpg and 114 g/km. With a top speed of 122 mph and a sprint time of 10.3 seconds, the 1.6 TDI will definitely be able to hold its own on the motorway.

Both engines will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission, or optionally a 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox. The 1.6 TDI paired with the S tronic transmission will arrive a bit later than the others.

If you can wait until the end of 2016, a 3-cylinder 1.0 TFSI will become available, with its 114 bhp. At the same time, there will also be a 2.0 TDI with 148 bhp which will come as standard with the 7-speed S tronic.

Lastly, in mid-2017, a 2.0 TFSI will join the crew. It will be exclusive to quattro all-wheel-drive and the S tronic transmission. This is the point where the 148 bhp engines (1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TDI) will be optionally available with quattro, too.

The cheapest Q2 at the moment is £22,380, however the 1.0 TFSI will cut under this soon at £20,230, significantly higher than the likes of the Nissan Juke.

Audi A5 Gets Long Needed Update, but Looks the Same as A3, A4, TT, Q7...

Audi seems to be using the same facelift clinic for its range, and to be perfectly honest, I'm already a bit tired of the design. We've already seen the bold design right across the range from the TT to the A4, right up to the Q7. Well, surprise surprise the A5 has joined the crew.

It's not necessarily all that bad - the A5 has been around since 2007 pretty much unchanged. A stretched wheelbase means more room inside, and combine that with short overhangs and you have yourself a more premium looking car. The singleframe grille extends from the end of the bonnet right down to the bumper and certainly gives the A5 Coupé some presence. A set of LED tail lights come as standard, however it's the optional LED headlights (specifically the high-end Matrix LED headlights) that you want!

Audi's engineers have managed to shave, in some cases, up to 60 kg off the A5 Coupé over its predecessor. That's like removing a teenager from the car. The class-leading drag coefficient of 0.25 will also contribute to saving fuel in the long run. In fact, Audi claims that you'll be able to get up to 17% more performance whilst using up to 22% less fuel. It's a win-win situation, or at least it is on paper.

From launch, Audi will be offering two petrol engines and three diesels with power outputs of between 187-282 bhp. The 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions are available on the 4-cylinder engines as well as the 215 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel. The 282 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel gets the special treatment with the 8-speed tiptronic automatic, in fact so does the S5 Coupé.

On the subject of the S5 Coupé, its 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine produces 349 bhp (21 more than before), kicking it to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The latest quattro all-wheel-drive system with ultra technology will also be available, however only on the 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with manual transmission. This is the system that we saw not too long ago debut on the A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI.

Inside, Audi has used the same technique as it has in its other models - horizontal lines create the illusion of more space, particularly a wider cabin. It's no surprise, then, that the Audi virtual cockpit will become an option in the latest A5 Coupé, a 12.3-inch TFT display that replaces the traditional instrument cluster. Nevertheless, its 1,440x540 pixel resolution makes for great viewing with crisp images. There will even be an 8.3-inch infotainment display available. The standard infotainment makes do with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but step it up and you can get luxuries such as wireless phone charging and a Bang & Olufsen sound system! The 465-litre boot gains 10 litres over the old model, but the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats definitely make it easier loading longer items.

Safety hasn't been completely disregarded. Audi has many technologies to its name, just some of which including active lane assist, pre sense, park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and traffic sign recognition. All of which will be available on the A5 and S5 Coupé.

Enough about how the other half live, how about what's included as standard on the base model A5? You'll be pleased to know that xenon headlights are standard as well as LED tail lights, interior lights and daytime running lights. A 7-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth and USB connectivity are also included. As for safety, pre sense city comes as standard as well as Audi drive select.

Order books will not be opening until the end of summer, with deliveries coming in just before the end of the year. There's no mention of pricing yet, but the current generation starts at £29,190 and goes up to £42,990 for the S5 Coupé.

There are two main rivals that Audi has its eyes on, one of which being the BMW 4 Series with a slightly higher price tag of £30,260. BMW offers a lot more in terms of powertrains, with 4 diesels (418d, 420d, 430d and 435d) and 3 petrols (420i, 430i and 440i). BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive setup is an option on the 420d, 430d and 420i, as well as being standard on the 435d. There's even an M4 to rival a future RS 5 Coupé.

The second rival is the recently launched Mercedes C-Class Coupé with an even higher price tag of £31,585. In terms of engines, there are fewer - 2 diesels (C 220 d and C 250 d) and 2 petrols (C 200 and C 300). All but the C 300 are optionally available with 4MATIC four-wheel-drive. Mercedes will offer you a warm C 43 4MATIC and a bubbling C 63 too.

The S5 Coupé has its eyes firmly set on the C 43 4MATIC (£46,280) which shared its 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds. It has nothing to worry about with the 440i (£42,235) though, which is 0.3 s slower.

UK Auto Forums, the One Stop Shop for Model-Specific Forums

If there's one particular car you're interested about, then you don't want to be reading about all the others! That's why you can head over to UK Auto Forums to find a number of forums specifically set up with one car in mind, whether it be the Kia Niro or Craig's Cars' favourite, the upmarket Audi Q2.

Audi Q2 Brings Youthful Appeal to German Premium Brand

With a flowing roofline giving the Q2 a coupé image, Audi hopes to attract younger customers to the brand. This is further supported by the choice of 12 exterior paints, an optional two-tone roof and coloured dash inserts inside. A choice of 16-19-inch alloys and a pair of striking LED daytime running lights give the Q2 a premium appeal. Inside, you can choose from cloth, leather or Alcantara upholstery.



Audi claims that the seating position is low and sporty, however the Q2 will still boast SUV credentials like great all-round visibility and the ability to tackle most things that 99% of people will throw at it.

Its 20 cm ground clearance makes it good for a touch of mild off-roading, with some good approach and departure angles thanks to short overhangs. Measuring 4.19 m in length, the Q2 is a whole 44 cm shorter than the Lexus NX and even 23 cm shorter than the Mercedes GLA. Similar in height to the GLA, the Q2 is around 15 cm shorter than the Range Rover Evoque.

The all-new Audi Q2 hides a 405-litre boot, which is significantly smaller than the 481-litre boot of the GLA, however the Q2 does belong to a category that is ever so slightly smaller, so this is to be expected. Nevertheless, the Range Rover Evoque only managed to fit a 420-litre boot in its 5-door model.

As standard, the Q2 will feature autonomous emergency braking. Optional safety equipment will include kit like traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring, as well as the now familiar Audi virtual cockpit.

Engine-wise, it's likely that we'll see petrols and diesels stolen from the A1 and A3. The will probably include an entry-level 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol unit with 114 bhp. One of the Volkswagen Group's favourite engines, with 1.4-litre petrol, will also make its way into the Q2. Despite producing an impressive 148 bhp, it's able to shut down 2 of its cylinder to save on fuel. A top-of-the-range 187 bhp 2.0-litre petrol will also be likely.

For fans of diesel, myself included, there will be a 1.6-litre unit as well as two 2.0-litre engines. Power outputs would match those of the petrols - 114, 148 and 187 bhp respectively, but with higher torque figures.



As usual, 6-speed manual transmissions will be available, however a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is a great alternative. Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system will likely be standard on the top-end models, and optional for the mid-range units.

Audi's ahead of rivals such as the Range Rover Evoque in terms of engines, which only boasts three diesel options. The Lexus NX has a petrol as well as a hybrid, however that's strictly paired to a whiney CVT 'box. Mercedes does do well in comparison, with two diesels, two petrols, a good dose of four-wheel-drive and dual-clutch transmission, and a super-hot AMG GLA 45 variant which boasts a full 376 bhp from a 2.0-litre petrol engine. Audi will follow suit with a warm SQ2 and a hot RS Q2 after the launch of the regular mini-crossover.

Audi TT RS Coupé and Roadster Unveiled

Joining the third generation Audi TT as of today are the Audi TT RS Coupé and Roadster. Order books open in the summer with deliveries due towards the end of the year.

Its 395 bhp 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine produces 480 Nm of torque which is available over an extremely wide band of 1,700 - 5,850 rpm. This propels the TT RS Coupé to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, however you can add another 0.2 s for the Roadster and its additional 90 kg.

Electronically limited to 155 mph, the TT RS is actually capable of 174 mph as an option. Power is put down to the road thanks to an industry-favourite dual-clutch 'S tronic' transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. Audi's drive select system allows the driver to choose between comfort, auto, dynamic and individual.

Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 245/35 tyres), however 20-inch alloys (255/30) are available too. Matrix OLED tail lights will be made available on the TT RS and LED headlights come as standard.

Up front, the honeycomb grille and aggressive bodystyling point out the fact that this is no ordinary TT. Both models have fixed rear spoilers however automatically extending spoilers can be specified. Both the Coupé and the Roadster measure 4.19 m in length and 1.34 m in height as well as taking up a width of 1.89 m. The Coupé is slightly more aerodynamic (0.32) than the Roadster (0.33).

Inside, the 12.3-inch screen can replace the standard analogue instrument cluster and display RS-specific details such as a highlighted rev counter with torque figures and g-force stats.

Pricing is expected to be in the region of £50,000 which puts it in line with rivals such as the Porsche 718 Cayman S and Boxster S. Both the BMW M2 Coupé and Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 can be had for around £5,000 less. The Jaguar F-Type delivers slightly better performance for a premium of almost £2,000.

Audi A8 L extended, a.k.a. A8 XXL

The current generation Audi A8 has been around since 2009, and since then we've seen the regular A8, an S8 and even a long wheelbase A8 L. It's available with a range of high powered petrol and diesel engines as well as a range-topping W12 unit.

It's 2016 that marks the entry of the A8 L extended. It's a 6.36-metre long A8 L with an extra set of doors. Audi plans to sell it as a small-scale built-to-order super limo for the duration of the current generation (D4) of A8.

Almost a year of development has resulted in an elongated Audi that has the torsional and flexural rigidity of an A8 L (or not too far off anyway). This has been made possible thanks to further structural modifications such as additional cross-bracing. 

The wheelbase and overall length of the A8 L extended are more than a metre longer than those of the regular A8 L, and in the roof you can find a 2.4-metre long panel of glass to give it an airy, spacious ambiance.

Each row of seats are finished in premium 'velvet beige' Valcona leather and feature sunblinds as standard. The electrically adjustable seats make for a comfortable ride, while the continuous centre console means that the Audi is a strict 6-seater. Nevertheless, there is a coolbox to the rear of the 3rd row of seating. 

So the all-important question. Power. Would it be the A8's 3.0- or 4.2-litre TDI diesel engine? Or maybe the prestige W12 petrol? Or could it be the S8's 4.0-litre TFSI? In fact, it's none of them. The A8 L extended will come with a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol unit that produces 306 bhp and 440 Nm. This gives it a 0-62 mph sprint time of 7.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. 

Power is delivered to the road through an 8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. Behind the 19-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels is the same break system from the S8 which helps stop the A8 L extended's 2,418 kg. That's an increase of 343-538 kg over the other A8 models.

Expect pricing to be in the region of €350,000 (£278,000 / $395,000).

Audi A3 Gets a Facelift

With this mid-life refresh, it's all about filtering the best bits of technology that we've seen elsewhere in the Audi range down into the A3. And when you think A3, don't just think hatchback, because there's also the saloon and cabriolet.

This includes Audi's virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch TFT display that replaces the standard analogue instrument dials. Of course, this does come at a premium.

The MMI infotainment display has also been redesigned with a simpler and intuitive menu structure. It measures 7 inches as standard and features iOS and Android integration, just like the A4 and Q7. Two mobile phones can be connected via Bluetooth at any one time (for the first time in an A3) which will open doors for company car drivers.

Other technologies include a traffic jam assist system and cross-traffic assist.

When it comes to design, the A3 follows its bigger family members with some bold, sharp creases along the body and a prominent grille. Five new colours will be available, including Ara blue, Cosmic blue, Nano grey, Tango red and Vegas yellow.

A new entry point will be made for the A3 with the German's 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TFSI petrol engine, usually reserved for the A1. Despite its little design, it still packs a punch, with 113 bhp and 200 Nm thanks to a turbocharger. This will be the lightest A3, weighing it at just 1150 kg!

The hugely popular 1.4-litre TFSI engine with cylinder-on-demand technology remains. It's able to disengage 2 of its 4 cylinders under low acceleration, yet still provide 148 bhp and 250 Nm when needed.

There's also a new 2.0-litre TFSI with 187 bhp and 320 Nm, however it's the diesels that are the most popular.

The 1.6-lite TDI diesel produces a meagre 108 bhp, however the 2.0-litre TDI can be had in 148 bhp or 181 bhp guises, with 340 or 380 Nm of torque. The latter uses the same engine as Volkswagen's Golf GTD, the diesel equivalent to the GTI.

The optional sports suspension (which comes as standard on S line models) lowers the car by 15 mm, however this increases to 25 mm for the S line sport suspension.

All models come will alloy wheels measuring 16 inches and above, and even the entry-level A3 will come with xenon headlights and LED daytime runnings lights. Automatic lights and wipers, and cruise control, all make up the standard equipment list.

If you opt for a higher spec, you can be upgraded to full LED headlights, and Audi's matrix LED headlight system can also be optionally requested. Other options include a driver's seat with massage functionality.

Fret not, the eco-friendly e-tron plug-in petrol-hybrid will stay the same. The 1.4-litre TFSI engine and electric motor make for a total of 201 bhp and equally impressive running costs.

Also on the cards is the S3. With the S tronic transmission is gains 10 bhp and 20 Nm, with total figures of 306 bhp and 400 Nm (available from a very broad range of 2,000-5,400 rpm).

For the RS 3, we're going to have to wait a bit longer to find out what happens to it.

Audi's Latest 'quattro' All-Wheel-Drive to be Used on New A4 allroad

Audi has been busy developing a new quattro all-wheel-drive system with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency.

The latest-generation A4 allroad quattro will be driven in front-wheel-drive mode while pottering around town, but with a refresh rate of every 10 milliseconds, the system can decide to send power to all wheels in a split second.

The self-locking centre differential generally sends 60% of the power to the rear wheels, with the other 40% being channeled through the front wheels. It can, however, send a maximum of 70% to the front, or 85% to the rear, should the conditions require it.

The quattro system decides what's necessary not only by monitoring the road conditions but also assessing the driving dynamics and behaviour.

As well as featuring the new quattro system, the new Audi A4 allroad quattro will have a 34 mm higher ground clearance over the standard Avant.

Engines include a 249 bhp 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol and three turbodiesels. A 2.0-litre TDI with 187 bhp and two 3.0-litre TDIs with 215 or 268 bhp.

Audi's class-leading technology can be specified, as expected, on the allroad. Not only does this include the Audi Virtual Cockpit and Matrix LED headlights, but an adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist. A feature that can take care of not only throttle and braking, but also steering, in stop-start traffic at speeds of up to 37 mph.

Order books for the new Audi A4 allroad quattro are expected to open in late April, with first deliveries coming this June.

Audi Welcomes Q2 SUV to the Range

At 1.51 metres tall, the Q2 is slightly higher than Mercedes' GLA. Its 1.79-metre width also puts it in line with the GLA, whereas the length is its differentiating factor. At 4.19 metres, the Q2 is over 20 cm shorter.

As with all of Audi's latest models, the Q2 can be specified with the virtual cockpit - a digital display that replaces the instrument cluster. A head-up display is also an option. As standard, though, the Q2 will get Audi's pre sense front. A system that helps avoid accidents by autonomously braking.

Other technology available on the Q2 includes an adaptive cruise control with stop & go function for traffic jams, a lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic assist that makes reversing out of a parking space a lot easier.

All models have the German's MMI infotainment display that's controlled by a rotary knob and two buttons, not a touchscreen.

With 405 litres on offer, the boot is actually 76 smaller than that of the GLA. It does offer 25 litres more than the Volkswagen Golf. With the rear seats folded down, a 1,050-litre cargo space is revealed.

When it comes to power, two petrol engines and two diesel engines will be seen from day one. These include a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre and a 4-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol engines, as well as the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines that have power outputs of 114 and 148 bhp. A 2.0-litre petrol engine will enter the lineup later in 2017.

If you prefer not to have the 6-speed manual transmission, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission called S tronic is available on all models. The higher-powered diesel is available with quattro all-wheel-drive and the 2.0-litre petrol engine will come with quattro as standard.

Audi's Q7 e-tron Plug-In Hybrid: 700 Nm at £65,000

Audi is well underway with its long-term goal of CO2-neutral mobility. Back in 2012 the A3 Sportback e-tron went on sale here in the UK, but has remained Audi's only hybrid vehicle. Pricing and specifications have been released for the Q7 e-tron quattro and it doesn't disappoint.

The hybrid SUV market is already booming, with the Mercedes GLE 500e 4MATIC and BMW X5 xDrive40e being the most obvious choices. Other options include the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and the Lexus RX 450h. This only means one thing - the Q7 e-tron quattro needs to be perfect.

Its 34-mile electric-only range is far above the 19 offered by both Mercedes and BMW. All three models use four-wheel-drive systems to deliver the power to the road in the most composed manner possible.

Diesel-powered engines are renowned for their healthy torque figures. In fact, so are electric motors. This means that the V6 diesel-electric combo pushes out 700 Nm, with a side serving of 369 bhp. The Q7 e-tron quattro will get to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds despite returning a claimed 156.9 mpg.

Standard equipment includes LED headlights, satellite navigation and Audi's virtual cockpit. The infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whilst in-car LTE connectivity communicates with a smartphone app to keep you up-to-date with the charging process and interior climate control settings among other things.

Predictive Efficiency Assistant works with the navigation to coach the driver into gaining the most miles out of his or her gallons. This includes advising the driver to ease off the throttle whilst approaching a bend or transitioning into a lower speed-limited road. The Active Cruise Control and traffic sign recognition also play important roles in helping use as little fuel as possible.

Charging the battery takes 4 hours and 45 minutes via the standard cable.

The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will start at around £65,000 before options, that's a £17,000 premium over the standard Q7. Its main rival is the equally-priced Mercedes GLE 500e (which comes at a £15,000 premium over the standard model). It will be proudly displayed at the Geneva Motor Show with order books opening in May 2016.

2016, Year of the SUV for Audi

Audi has announced that it will be investing more than €3 billion this year. Much of this money will be going towards the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants, but it's not just a growing infrastructure that Audi plans.

In 2016 alone we will be seeing the Q5 update which takes many of its design cues from the recently refreshed Q7. We will also see an all-new Q2, sitting below the Q3 as more of a coupé alternative.

The Q2 is expected to be light enough to be powered by the A1's engine range, with the highlights being the 1.4 TFSI with cylinder on demand and the efficient 1.6 TDI.

Alternative power is another key thing on Audi's mind, particularly after the problems that have risen from its diesel engines. By 2018 we will have seen the end results of the Q6 e-tron developed from the e-tron quattro concept that we've already been shown.

Audi A3 Cabriolet

Introduction

Introduced back in 2008, the A3 Cabriolet effectively created its own class of compact executive cabriolets but nowadays it rivals the BMW 2 Series Convertible as well as other less premium models.

The 2nd generation of 2014 had very little aesthetic upgrades but went on a diet, losing some 50 kg. Very slight adjustments were made to the dimensions, although its footprint grew and height shrunk slightly.

Powertrain

Being such a stylish car, there are plenty of petrol options to give it some pace. The entry-level 1.4 TFSI produces an impressive 150 horsepower and 250 Nm, but thanks to its cylinder-on-demand technology it's able to reach 55 mpg (give or take) in both the 6-speed manual and 7-speed S tronic automatic models.

The top-of-the-range variant combines the 180 hp and 280 Nm of the 1.8 TFSI engine with quattro all-wheel-drive in order to give it a 0-62 mph time of 7.6 seconds. It will struggle to reach 40 mpg though. It's only available with a 6-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

But welcome to the 21st century where diesel power is our favoured fuel, in the name of economy and efficiency. Kicking off the range is a 1.6 TDI - 110 hp and 250 Nm, yet nearly 70 mpg.

The 2.0-litre TDI comes in many forms, producing 150 and 184 hp combined with 240 and 380 Nm. All get to 62 mph in less than 9 seconds and will do 55-65 mpg.

There are no cars that emit less than 100 g/km of CO2, so no tax-free motoring here!

My pick of the bunch would be the 150 hp variant of the 2.0 TDI as it has adequate power for overtaking but is a sensible cruiser and economy figures are admirable.

There's even a hot S3 Cabriolet with 300 hp and 380 Nm coming from a 2.0 TFSI. Power is driven through a quattro system and 62 mph is reached in a respectable 5.4 seconds. It goes on to 155 mph but still claims to achieve near 40 mpg, although 30 mpg is a more realistic figure.

In-Cabin Experience

Being part of the A3 family, the dash is more or less lifted from the A3 hatchback which is no bad thing. The minimalist design and pop-up infotainment screen are highly desirable, but it's practical to use. I'm not a fan of the cruise control stalk - it's a bit awkward to reach below the wheel. The electronic handbrake and roof operation switch work well together and are within quick access.

There is a 320-litre boot which shrinks to 287 litres with the roof stored, but you can uncover 678 litres upon folding down the seats. The quattro models lose some boot space due to the complex mechanics that take up space around the rear wheels.

Equipment and Options

There are 3 trim lines plus a unique S3 model, but despite this all models are well-equipped. Every single model comes with an electronic parking brake with auto release function, alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, DAB radio and air conditioning.

If you climb up the trim levels, you can enjoy features such as the sports suspension, front sports seats and dual-zone climate control of Sport, or the 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights and S bodystyling of the S line.

The S3 gets the mandatory aggressive styling, giant 19-inch alloys and Nappa leather upholstery.

There is a total of 11 alloy wheel designs from 16 to 19 inches, 6 inlay finishes, 16 body colours and 3 roof colours (black, grey and brown) although you can have literally any body colour you want for over £2,000.

The £690 Comfort package adds cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors and a wind deflector. You could alternatively change your headlights to xenon or LED for £1,100 or £1,850, although the Technology package for £1,495 makes more sense. It adds satellite navigation, a 7-inch display and a 10GB hard drive. The necessary Bang & Olufsen sound system is £750 and brings with it 13 speakers through a 5.1 output. Keyless entry and go comes in at £425 and is essential.

Safety

All cars come with an active roll-over prevention system, an electronically locking differential and an adaptive brake light which flashes under the circumstances of an emergency stop, with the hazards coming on at the end of the braking.

The A3 hatchback on which the Cabriolet is based achieved a full 5-star rating in its Euro NCAP testing.

Rivals

As we've already touched upon, the new BMW 2 Series Convertible is Audi's main cause for concern. It's just £200 more expensive and is much more appealing for drivers seeking rear-wheel-drive thrill. It's offered with 3 states of tune for the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit (218d, 220d and 225d) as well as 2 petrols, the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder 218i and the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 220i and 228i. There's even a 326 horsepower 3-litre straight-six M235i (which is 0.2 s faster than the S3 to 62 mph). It doesn't end there! Within the past week the 370 hp BMW M2 has been released! Could this mean an M2 Convertible any time soon?

Entering back into the accessible market, Volkswagen's Golf Cabriolet is almost £4,000 cheaper. Something a bit different, though, would be the Vauxhall Cascada which costs some £1,500 less.

My Car

If I were to buy an A3 Cabriolet, I wouldn't be able to help myself but go crazy on the options list! All I need now is £38k!

Audi A3 Cabriolet Configuration