WORLD DEBUT FOR THE ALL NEW AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet made its World debut on Friday 30th Nov 2007, the first ever premium compact class “open top” from Audi which will offer four engine options when it arrives on British roads next Spring.Audi’s latest convertible lines up alongside established soft tops in the A4 and TT ranges. The exciting addition to the much in demand A3 range will be available with either a semi or fully automatic hood specification while crucially for an open car, its advanced body structure features a high proportion of high-strength steel reinforcing measures that provide maximum rigidity and optimum crash safety.The A3 Cabriolet comfortably seats four occupants while the rear seat backs can be folded down for optimum practicality. The normal uncompromising Audi build quality, subtle and understated exterior design as well as exemplary driver ergonomics combine to create a prestige and elegant new contender inside and out. Four engine versions – two petrol and two TDI – combine ample power with impressive efficiency. All of them are direct injection units with turbo charging. The performance range extends from 77 kW (105 PS) to 147 kW (200 PS). As an option, the innovative S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is available. At launch transmissions will be limited to front wheel drive.
The car is launched with both “standard” suspension, or the option of “sports” suspension.At launch a Standard or Sport can be chosen for the Audi A3 Cabriolet. In both cases its equipment specification is generous and extensive; the Sport model includes 17-inch aluminium wheels, sports suspension and sports seats. An S line exterior package and S line sports package will also be available later in the year to UK customers. The exterior designThanks to the hood’s compact folding design, Audi’s designers were able to create a comfortable four-seater with subtle lines measuring up 4,238 millimetres in length, 1,765 mm in width and 1,424 mm in height. The car is shorter than the A3 Sportback (4,286mm) but longer than the existing 3 door A3 (4,214mm).Easily identifiable as an Audi, the exterior design creates strong presence making the A3 Cabriolet visually typical of current Audi family of models. The “face” of the A3 Cabriolet is dominated by the large single-frame grille while the headlights are also an eye-catching, distinctive feature. They can be supplied optionally with xenon plus lights, which can operate in tandem with the dynamic adaptive (steering) light technology.
The optional daytime running lights in the form of an integral light strip – an important safety feature at Audi it comprises of seven white light-emitting diodes in conjunction with the xenon plus units. Similarly to the headlights, the rear lights of the A3 Cabriolet are of a flat, broad design. Their technology is based on fibre optic rods, but the visual effect is of two radiant rings that clearly distinguish the car as an Audi even after dark.When viewed side-on, the unique but subtle profile of the Audi A3 Cabriolet is clearly in evidence. The striking wheel arches accommodate large wheels: in the case of the Standard model, 16 inches in diameter. The Sport model has 17-inch alloy wheels, 18-inch wheels from quattro GmbH are available as an option. Audi supplies the A3 Cabriolet in 15 paint colours that can be combined with three hood colours – black, blue and red.

The hood and body.

The fabric hood keeps its shape thanks to the mechanically moved metal linkage, which assures an excellent close fit, perfect tightness and the silhouette of a coupé. A large, heated glass rear window provides a good view to the rear.
Audi can supply the fabric top in two versions – the semi-automatic soft top and the fully automatic acoustic hood. In both cases the hood is moved by a high-pressure pump with two hydraulic cylinders. They open the large soft top in an extremely rapid nine seconds.When lowered, the hood is folded up in a Z-pattern which takes up a minimum amount of space. The header – a rigid section at the roof’s front edge – comes to rest on top, basically flush with the body. The folded hood is set down in a compact sheet steel compartment that only very slightly reduces the luggage compartment capacity.The clever design enables the acoustic hood to be opened and closed while driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h – a big advantage in terms of convenience when driving in urban traffic. The process is controlled by a switch on the centre console; the hood can also be opened and closed conveniently from outside the car, via the ignition key in the door lock.The fully automatic soft top takes the form of an acoustic hood. Between the outer skin and the inner lining there is a synthetic fibre mat that further improves thermal insulation and soundproofing – at a speed of 140 km/h it is only 1 dB (A) louder inside the Audi A3 Cabriolet than in the hard top A3. If only the front seats are occupied, a wind deflector can be erected above the rear bench seat in a few simple steps for optimum comfort.

The interior

The interior of the Audi A3 Cabriolet is immediately recognisable as a modern Audi; its materials, Audi’s familiar uncompromising build quality and its elegant design accentuate the premium character of this new convertible. Elegant lines border its large surfaces. The four round air vents and the side knee cushions on the centre console’s struts are reminiscent of the Audi TT.
The two navigation systems available use an operating logic adopted from the superior MMI concept as familiar from Audi’s larger cars.
Audi offers a broad range of options for the seats; on the Sport model, both front seats are sportily contoured. An electric four-way lumbar support is available as an option, as well as heating for the front seats or for all four seats.Another of the Audi A3 Cabriolet’s major strengths in everyday use is its variable luggage compartment. The rear seat backs can be split 50:50 and released to fold flat to expand luggage compartment capacity. The wide, high through-loading space that is created increases the luggage capacity to 674 litres and the load area length to 150 centimetres – ample even for large items of sports equipment. In the standard arrangement the luggage compartment has an ample capacity of 260 litres, whether the hood is open or closed.

The equipment

The Standard Audi A3 Cabriolet already comes with a semi-automatic hood. Four electric windows round off the specification. The A3 Cabriolet Sport will be available in the UK with a fully automatic and acoustic hood and has the distinguishing features of 17-inch aluminium wheels, front fog lights and sports suspension. Inside, the sumptuous equipment includes sports seats, a driver information system, a 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel, a wind deflector and special inlays, upholstery and door sill trims.The range of options for the A3 Cabriolet includes multifunction steering wheel, dual zone climate control, LED daytime running lights, leather upholstery, heated seats and a parking aid. Xenon plus headlights and the adaptive light for cornering illuminate the road effectively in the dark. The storage package for the interior and luggage compartment and a ski and snowboard bag further add to the practical utility of the A3 Cabriolet.Typically for Audi, the A3 Cabriolet too features a broad range of multimedia technologies. This extends from the chorus CD radio, with four speakers, to the Bose sound system. All audio systems from the concert radio upwards include an interface on the centre tunnel for connecting up an iPod or MP3 player. Two navigation systems – with monochrome or large colour monitor – help with providing directions. For mobile telephony, Audi offers a mobile phone preparation in combination with the audio systems. Those who are fond of bespoke specification features will appreciate the equipment options on offer from quattro GmbH. The S line comprises an exterior package for the body and a sports package.Prices will be confirmed later this year.

For more information about the New Audi A3 and how to register your interest with audinationwide simply contact us

The UKTV Car of the year awards results are in and Audi got the silver in medal in two categories: The Audi Q7 in the 4 X 4 category and the Audi S8 in the Luxury car category.

But with no real suprise the winner of the UKTV Car of the Year and also the star of the Sports category was the Audi R8.

The final votes were cast between 12th November 2007 and 16th November 2007 in the 5 main categories in which a shortlist of 3 cars per category from the previous weeks votes were published.

Votes were cast via the UKTV website by you after adverts were shown across the UKTV Network predominantly one their newest channel Dave!

Click here for a full list of winners.

Top gear tested the Audi R8 Vs the Porsche 911  on the show aired 14th Oct 2007 Jeremy Clarkson raved about the R8 whist the “hamster” still preferred the 911 – but as he owns one he is probably biased

In this weeks Topgear (11th November 2007) Simon Cowell became top of the “star in a reasonably priced car” leader board for the second time by beating Gordon Ramsay’s time of 1.46.38 when he managed an impressive 1.45.9 lap after trying to forget help and advice give to him from The Stig  to gain the top spot! Simon Cowell has recently taken delivery of his new Audi R8.

There is a short clip on the top gear site here of Jeremy Clarksons review on the R8 note that the realplayer version seem to work better.

The new 2008 Audi A4 has already begun to recognize its significance overseas. German newspaper Bild am Sonntag has awarded the new midsize saloon with the Golden Steering Wheel Award.

The Audi A4 has also been awarded the title of “Imported Car of the Year” by the RJC (Automobile Researchers and Journalists Conference). This respected jury, made up of 70 Japanese automobile market researchers and journalists, testified to the A4’s “perfect balance between the four key elements of the Audi brand – design, driving dynamics, safety and quality”.

In Spain, the Audi A4 has been awarded the title of “Family Car of the Year” by “Car & Driver”, one of the leading Spanish car magazines. The readers of the magazine, which has connections with the US periodical of the same name, chose the Audi A4 because of its high levels of “safety and comfort, combined with low fuel consumption”

1,630mm high (A5 1,372mm), wheelbase 2,810mm (A5 2,751mm)

It features the world’s cleanest diesel engine – new longitudinally mounted version of 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 240PS and 500Nm incorporates ultra low emission system that permits compliance with tough U.S emissions regulations.

Performance- 0-62mph 7.2 seconds, top speed 149mph, 38.6mpg combined

It features Adaptive Audi drive select system with integrated ‘efficiency’ mode that reduces fuel usage by around 20 per cent and even Internet-based satellite navigation using Google Earth functionality! plus an ternet radio facility.

Some renderings of  what the ‘Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro’ concept will look like have been leaked.

Summary of the A1 Metroproject Quattro preview car… 

 Size: 910mm in length (A3 3dr 4,214mm), 1,750mm width (A3 1,765mm), 1,400mm high (A3 1,420mm)

The Capacity of lithium-ion batteries makes a range of up to 62 miles possible without petrol engine intervention. Batteries rechargeable via mains socket.

With the engine and electric motor operating simultaneously a torque maximum of 440Nm (petrol engine 240Nm, electric motor 200Nm) is made available. 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, 124mph top speed, 57.6mpg, 112g/km CO2.

The interior features innovative Audi mobile hand-held device offering mobile telephony, MP3 and video playback and GPS navigation Driver can also input sat-nav destinations and control in-car functions such as heating before leaving home

It features a new take on Audi’s established Quattro technology. The Audi qutro four-wheel drive system is usually a traditional one engine driving four wheels affair. But the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine under the A1 Metroproject’s bonnet only powers the front wheels. It gives a respectable 148bhp but is not going to help out with back-end traction.

The secret is instead under the boot floor, where lurks a compact 40bhp electric motor, driving  the rear wheels.

The A1 Metroproject is a hybrid, too. an extra 40bhp might not sound very much, the real bonus of an electric motor is the instant – and we do mean instant – torque. In the Audi A1 Metroproject’s case, the motor delivers an extra 148lb ft of torque. More than enough to propel what is supposedly an environmentally friendly city-car concept to 65mph in 7.8 seconds. The electric  motor can also power the Audi A1 Metroproject entirely on its own at urban speeds, with a range of up to 65 miles thanks to lithium-ion batteries. As with all hybrids the only real downside is the weight penalty; the set-up reputedly adds 70kg to the Metroproject’s overall weight.

The Audi A1 Metroproject is also a ‘plug-in’ hybrid. So it can be recharged at any standard power outlet as well as via the petrol engine. It uses various regenerative techniques to recover energy while driving too, just like the Toyota Prius, and new BMW and MINI EfficientDynamics models. As a result it produces just 112g/km of CO2 and is capable of 57.6mpg. if you do not think that too impressive, remember: we are talking about 148bhp turbocharged petrol engine here, not some kind of diesel. The 1.4 turbo should appear in a refreshed A3 next year, the new A4, and the production A1.

Do you already drive and Audi???

Yes… Order the New A4 saloon due for Launch in February and receive an upgrade to Bang and Olufsen Sound System free of Charge!

To coincide with the release of the new 2008 Audi A4 Saloon for ordering, audinationwide are pleased to announce that the Bang & Olufsen Sound System will be offered free of charge to all existing Audi customers who order the A4 B8 Saloon by 29th February 2008!

The Bang & Olufsen Sound System delivers an excellent sound experience.
The system is exclusive to Audi and provides listeners with 14 loudspeakers driven by 10 discrete channels of amplification and digital signal processing.
This offer is available to all current Audi owners (not just A4 owners) and it applies to retail and fleet customers- part exchange is not necessary.

So take advantage of this special offer now and with contract hire from only £349* a month its easy to see why the New A4 is so popular already even before its launch in February.

Audi Progress Magazine 2007 

The second editon of the Audi Progress Magazine is ready for you to download from our downloads section.

 This November 2007 edition includes the Frankfurt motorshow 2007 with the new A4 and A8 unveilings, The additional A5 engines now open for ordering- 1.8T, 3.2 FSI and 2.7 TDI, Audis’ cleaner greener plan for the next few years and even information you may not be aware of about changes within corporate law effecting fleets in April 2008.

 As always hard copies are also available so if you would like some copies sent out to you please call us on 0800 822 3116 or fill out our contact us form and we’ll get some sent out to you.

Audi finance have announced the continuation of the contract hire offers we’ve seen so far this year.

We now have the A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI SE manual for £299 + VAT a month after an initial 3 month deposit with the subsequent payments over 35 months at £299 + Vat with an annual mileage of 10000 miles. See the A6 main page for full details.

Also the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI SE Tip for £499+ Vat a month after an initial payment of 3 months and the subsequent payments over 23 months with an annual mileage of 10000 miles.

Even the New Audi A4 Saloon 2.0 TDI SE Manual which is due for its launch in February has a special offer of £349 a Month + Vat after an inital payment of 3 months and the subsequent payments over 35 months with an annual mileage of 10000 miles.

Plus! Don’t forget the free Bang and Olufsen offer which applies to all current Audi drivers no matter of the cars age or model! 

So it couldn’t be a better time to start looking into your new Audi.

Use the pages on our main website to see what other offers we have available and what stock cars we currrently have.

All our terms and conditions are under delivery and terms on the main page.

Pricelists and wallpapers are available in our downloads section!