Audi UK Bids Farewell to A3 Cabriolet with Final Edition Versions

The appearance of the first pre-production prototypes of the next generation A3 Cabriolet based on the longer platform of the upcoming sedan version of the series means that the current open-top model is breathing its last.

In Britain, Audi made it official that it will soon withdraw the A3 Cabriolet from its lineup as it prepares to make room for the new model, but not before it releases a limited run of the car.

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Spy Shots: Meet the All-new Audi S3 Convertible with a Sleeker Booty, Four Seats and 296HP

The launch of the new generation of the Audi A3 in three door, five-door "Sportback" and S3 trims over the past year is only the beginning for the brand with the four-ring badge from Ingolstadt, which has more in store for the premium compact segment.

Last week, we shared scoop pictures of Audi's upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA-rivaling A3 four-door sedan, and now, our spy photographers have nabbed the first images of the open top version of the series testing in Europe.

And mind you, this isn't just any A3 Convertible but the range-topping (unless Audi surprises us with an RS edition) S3, as evidenced by the quad exhaust tips and the design of the air-vents on the corners of the front bumper, which are identical to the S3 hatchback.

Unlike the current A3 Convertible that’s shares its platform with the previous hatchback, the new model is based on the upcoming A3 sedan's longer wheelbase MQB architecture, something that will not only help improve rear passenger and luggage space, but also affords the car a sleeker look with more balanced proportions.

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First Scoop Shots of the New Audi A3 Sedan, will Compete Against the Mercedes-Benz CLA

After setting foot on the compact hatchback segment, Germany's premium car brands are now eyeing the sedan category, with Mercedes-Benz being the first to present its proposal in the form of the CLA sports saloon.

Even though Audi told us it would launch an A3-based sedan at the end of 2012, that never happened. Instead, we're now waiting for the premiere of the A3 Sedan to take place at a major international auto show in the coming months before it begins to arrive in showrooms at the end of the year or for some markets, in the first quarter of 2014.

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Premium Brands Move into Mass-Market Territory with US$30k Offerings

There are 75 million 30- to 40-year old consumers in the U.S. right now and, according to Mercedes-Benz USA head of marketing Bernie Glaser, “they have big expectations for products and brands”.

The problem for automakers like Mercedes, Audi and BMW is that these buyers are not able and/or willing to pay the US$40,000 sticker price attached to premium vehicles. Yet they want to have their cake and eat it, too – or, as Glaser puts it, demand “attractive styled cars and the right technology”.

One way to attract those buyers is to lower the entry price: only last week, BMW announced that, starting this spring, it will offer a 320i sedan priced at US$33,445 (including destination) – that’s US$4,300 cheaper than today’s entry-level 328i.

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Watch Chris Harris Compare the New BMW M135i Against the Audi RS3

Chris Harris put his hands on two of Europe's fastest and most powerful hot hatches, the Audi RS3 and the newly arrived BMW M135i.

Believe it or not, in the UK, at £39,950 (US$64,100 / €49,200), the Audi RS3 is roughly 25 percent more expensive than BMW's newly arrived M135i hot hatch, which will set British buyers back £29,995 (US$48,150 / €36,900).

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ABT Sportsline Drops New Details on Upcoming 2013 Audi A3 Tune

As ABT Sportsline is nearing the end of the development phase of its new aftermarket parts for the 2013 Audi A3 hatchback, the German tuning brand of all things related to the Volkswagen Group wants to share new details on the performance and styling packages that will be bundled under the AS3 moniker. Read more »

Paris Motor Show Line-Up 2012

On the 29^thof September 2012 the Paris Motor Show 2012 will open its doors to the public and we will finally get to see what exciting new models are revealed for the next year. The Paris Motor show is one of the biggest events of the year for any car lover and this year will not disappoint.

We have picked out our top five most highly anticipated cars to be revealed at the show. First we have the new 2013 Volkswagen Golf MK7. The Golf MK7 is the seventh generation of the model. It has been made more efficient and lighter than its predecessor. The changes to the new Golf are quite subtle, but they definitely improve the overall look and efficiency of the model. The edge of the new bonnet is a little bit lower than the previous model and the front wheels have moved forward slightly.

The C02 emissions have been reduced by around 13.9%, this brings the CO2 for the entry level in at 113g/km.  The entry level engine will be an 84bhp 1.2 TSI petrol that averages 57.7mpg. The VK Golf MK7 is on sale in October and the price starts at £16,200.

 The next car in our top five is the 2013 Toyota Auris. The Auris design is now longer and lower as well as being a lot lighter than the previous model. The Auris is set to be a strong rival for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf MK7. The rear windows now extend past the back doors and the new design gives the car a more angular look. As well as the hybrid, engine options consist of a 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i and 1.6-litre ‘Valvematic’ petrol engine, and a 1.4-litre D-4D diesel engine. The starting price for the Auris is around £14,495.

 

The 2013 Audi A3 Sportback makes it onto our list and into the Paris Motor Show. The A3 looks very similar to the previous model; the new A3 is built to be longer and a little lighter than before. The wheel base has been extended by 35mm which gives more interior space and you get about 10 litres more boot space than the predecessor. The entry level engine is a 104bhp 1.2 TSI petrol engine. The starting price for the A3 will be around £19,825.

The new 2013 Hyundai i30 3dr will feature at the Paris Motor show this year. The main difference between the new i30 and the previous model is that the new version has been design to have a sportier look. The bumpers, grille and fog lamps have been re-designed for this purpose. The price of the new i30 has not yet been confirmed but it is set to be around £300 less than the i30 5dr model.

The final car in our list is the 2014 BMW Concept Active Tourer. The production version will be at the motor show which is likely to be called the 1 Series Gran Turismo which is set to go on sale in 2014.  The Concept Active Tourer is a practical hatchback with a tall body. At 435cm long and 156cm high it is very similar to the size of a Mercedes B-Class; it’s 3cm shorter than the current BMW 1 Series and 10cm taller.

All of these five cars deserve to be at the Paris Motor Show, but which one is the top car?