Audi A3 Cabriolet gets new diesel engine

The Audi A3 Cabriolet can now be had with a 1.6-litre diesel engine that is capable of 72.4mpg and low emissions that mean road tax costs just £20 annually.

The new model has the cheapest running costs in the A3 Cabriolet range, and gets from 0-60mph in 11.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 124mph. Standard-fit equipment includes a DAB radio, air conditioning, as well as auto wipers and headlights. Of course, it also gets a folding fabric roof that can retract in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph.

The new model can be specced in SE, Sport or S line trim levels. Sport models offer 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and front sports seats, while S line models get 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, and the S line’s sharper exterior looks. Sport and S line models also get the uprated acoustic fabric hood, which should make for a quieter interior.

Another revision to the Audi A3 Cabriolet range is the addition of Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system that gives the Audi extra grip on slippery roads and when going round corners. It is available only with the firm’s 1.8-litre petrol engine, which gets the Cabriolet from 0-60 in 7.6 seconds (rather than the standard car’s 7.8 seconds). The Quattro-equipped Cabriolet is capable of returning 42.8mpg and emissions of 154g/km for road tax of £180 annually.

Audi has also made its S-tronic automatic gearboxes more widely available on the Cabriolet range – they can now be had with the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol and the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel.

For all the latest reviews of the Audi range, including our road test of the Audi A3 Cabriolet, visit the Carbuyer Audi reviews page.