SECTOR: Cabriolet PRICE: €24,100–€43,500 (approx.) FUEL: 5.0–7.1l/100km CO2: 110–165g/km 

There is nothing new about the concept of the Audi S3, which has been with the Audi A3 range since the car was launched in the late 1990s. Similarly the A3 cabriolet has been with us before but it has taken the launch of the Audi A3 saloon last year to open the way to a more visually pleasing drophead A3 and it offers an appropriate format for an S3 cabriolet. Since the S3 saloon already exists, it is not a great feat of technology to bring together the S3 300hp powertrain with the new A3 cabriolet body. It was unveiled at the Geneva Show, but we are waiting for a chance to drive it.

To put the A3 cabriolet into perspective, it measures 4,430mm long, is 1,790mm wide and stands 1,415mm tall. When it arrives, the S3 cabriolet will be 25mm lower than the A3 cabriolet thanks to the S-Sport suspension.

In all cases it's a four-seat soft-top model with a hood that is raised and lowered electro-hydraulically at the touch of a button in 18 seconds. Audi has used magnesium, aluminium and high strength steel to keep the weight down to 1,365kg.

The roof can be raised and lowered at speeds up to 50km/h. In the event of an accident, the car is fitted with an active rollover system consisting of a pair of spring-loaded struts. The hood now stows away inside the boot when the roof is down, instead of stacking up on the back of the car, as was necessary when it was based on the three-door hatchback body.

Boot space is inevitably compromised as a result, at 285 litres roof up, or 245 litres roof down, but folding rear seat backs can provide extended capacity, although that may not be so useful with the roof down.

Apart from the 300hp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine for the S3 cabriolet, there are some more tax-friendly options. There’s the 140hp 1.4TFSI (combined consumption 5.0l/100km and 114g/km CO2) and 180hp 1.8TFSI petrol engine (5.8l/100km and 133g/km CO2). The 1.4TFSI model comes with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 1.8 TFSI is fitted with the seven-speed S-Tronic automated transmission. There’s also a 150hp 2.0-litre TDI diesel/six-speed manual (3.6l/100km and 110g/km CO2).

The tax-friendly option is the 150hp 2.0TDI with a price of around €25,500 depending on market and specification, although the 1.4FTSI is not far behind. With windows up and an anti-buffet screen in place, the car gives a pleasant open air driving experience. The performance is fairly quick too, but open-air driving is not always about performance.

It makes a very comfortable two-seater and when more seats are needed there are two more, but you would have to do without the anti-buffet screen which takes up the space over the back seats. Boot space is not generous, but it's big enough for a bag or two. Standard equipment depends on market and trim options and in any case there is a long list of options, if your budget will stretch.

Verdict:

An S-series cabriolet is an attractive addition to the A3 range, while the performance and comparative tax efficiency will please many.