The first official Audi S3 Cabriolet details have been released ahead of its debut at tomorrow’s Frankfurt motor show, along with confirmation the German manufacturer’s first ever high-performance small-car-based soft-top will be sold in Australia.
Based on the recently revealed A3 Cabriolet and powered by the same 221kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine found in the Audi S3, S3 Sportback, S3 sedan and the new Volkswagen Golf R, the Audi S3 Cabriolet claims 0-100km/h in 5.4 when tied to six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
In sheer numbers terms, this puts the drop-top half a second behind both the S3 sedan and Golf R (both listed at 4.9sec) and trailing the S3 Sportback (5.0sec) and S3 (5.1) by at least three tenths.
It does also, however, make it faster than the current 147kW/280Nm A3 Cabriolet (7.3sec), and equal to the $102,800 TTS Roadster and $146,000 S5 Cabriolet.
It’s not yet known if the S3 Cabriolet (pictured below testing in Germany) will be de-tuned for our local market, with Australia’s ‘hot climate’ classification already ensuring the S3 Sportback’s engine will be wound down to 206kW for its arrival in December.
The German car maker is spruiking efficiency, though, with the S3 Cabriolet’s claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres matching the Golf R’s â€" both are up 0.1L/100km on the S3 sedan and S3 Sportback.
The drop-top S3 will sit 25mm lower than its A3 Convertible kin, and on 18-inch wheels, with larger 19-inch alloys available as an option along with Audi’s magnetic ride control.
Though Audi Australia has said Australian customers will be able to purchase the new S3 Cabriolet, it remains tight-lipped about official timing. Given the new A3 Cabriolet is due to arrive locally in the third quarter of next year, however, its performance ‘S’-badged stable mate should arrive in showrooms by the end of 2014.
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