audi s3 cab 06

The Audi S3 Cabriolet is set to join the S3 family lineup that already has a sedan, hatch and five-door Sportback forms - the open-top four-seater will make its debut in Geneva in March.

Like the rest of the S3 range, the topless quattro will be powered by a tweaked EA888 2.0 TFSI mill delivering 300 hp and 380 Nm, and performance numbers for the 1,620 kg offering includes a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically-limited 250 km/h top speed. A six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission is standard fitment.

The soft top, equipped with an electrohydraulic drive and available in three colours, opens or closes in 18 seconds, operational at speeds up to 50 km/h. An insulating foam layer in the roof helps reduce the noise level in the interior.

audi s3 cab 05

Inside, S3 details are to be found in a number of places - a three-dimensional S3 logo adorns the tach, and the sport steering wheel, door sills and the backrests of the sports seats also get the S3 moniker, as does the start-up screen on the power-retractable on-board display monitor.

Standard equipment includes automatic air conditioning and Xenon plus headlights, and plenty of kit through options, among them steering wheel paddle shifters, LED headlights and a 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System. There's also an Audi connect module with LTE as well as a MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and a high-resolution seven-inch monitor system sitting at the top of the infotainment heap.

The S3 Cabriolet comes fitted with 18-inch five-parallel-spoke design alloys and 225/40 R18 tyres, with 18- or 19-inch wheels in various designs available as options. As for exterior shades, owners will be able to choose from 12 colours, including an exclusive crystal effect Panther Black and pearl effect Sepang Blue.