Just in time for the warmer weather, Audi has introduced its cleanest A3 Cabriolet yet. Using its smallest capacity petrol engine ever featured on an Audi, the carmaker has succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions while still improving performance of the new car.
The new A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI, which opens for order this week priced from £19,985 OTR, is set to replace the 1.6-litre MPI model, and uses turbo charging to more than match its output of the older vehicle. The new car is part of the carmaker’s aim to boost fuel efficiency while still retaining its reputation for producing luxurious performance cars.
The new compact engine on the cabriolet weighs just 89.5 kilograms with the help of an aluminium crankcase, combined the latest turbo charger technology with direct petrol injection to ensure that optimum efficiency isn’t achieved at the expense of driveability. It generates the same 105PS output as the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated unit it replaces, along with 175Nm of torque between just 1,500 and 4,100 rpm- a 27Nm increase over its predecessor.
Linked to six-speed manual transmission, the A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI can reach 62mph from rest in 12.2 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 118mph – increases of 0.3 seconds and 4mph over the 1.6MPI. Despite these improvements, it also boosts combined fuel economy by 9.2mpg to 49.6mpg, and drops CO2 output by 35g/km to 132g/km.
Ongoing Audi efficiency drive
The new Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI is the latest example of the Audi’s drive to cut emissions by replacing larger capacity petrol engines with more compact alternatives using direct injection to deliver even more impressive performance results with economy and emissions improvements. In the A3 range alone the 1.4 TFSI petrol with 125PS has effectively replaced the 115PS 1.6 FSI, and the common rail 1.6 TDI with 105PS has taken over from the pump jet injection 105PS 1.9 TDI, both with impressive results.
The new A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI opens for order this week priced from £19,985 OTR.
