Audi A3 2007 Review

Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf said it would arrive around July 2008, but there are no prices or no specifications yet.

"The engines are not yet agreed but we will look into a mix of petrol and TDI," she said.

All are direct injection units with turbocharging. The performance range extends from 77kW to 147kW. The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox will be offered as an option.

Audi has stayed with the classic fabric top for its light weight and tight fit.

The hydraulically operated top will open in lightning fast time – nine seconds – and can also be opened and closed at speeds of up to 30km/h. It will fold away to take up little space and be flush with the body.

Between the outer skin and the inner lining there is a synthetic fibre mat that improves thermal insulation and soundproofing – at a speed of 140 km/h it is only 1dB (A) louder inside the Audi A3 Cabriolet than in the A3.

If only the front seats are occupied, a wind deflector can be erected above the rear bench seat in a few simple steps from one side of the vehicle.

The hood is available in semi-automatic and fully automatic versions, in the latter instance as a specially soundproofed acoustic hood.

The four-seater's body structure has a high proportion of high-strength, ultra-high-strength and hot-formed steels, as well as a large number of reinforcing measures to retain rigidity and crash safety.

The rear seat backs can be folded down, increasing the luggage capacity from 260 to 674 litres whether the hood is up or down.

It comes with responsive electromechanical power steering, four-link rear suspension and an optional sports suspension.