The new trend of downsizing engines to lower emissions while improving or maintaining performance has caught up with the 2010 Audi A3 Cabriolet also, as the German automaker is replacing the 1.6-litre MPI powerplant with a 1.2-litre TFSI unit.
The 2010 Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI is developing 105 PS and 175 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,100 rpm and accelerating from 0 to 62 mph takes 12.2 seconds. Maximum speed is 118 mph, and fuel consumption figures of 49.6 mpg indicate am increase in efficiency by 9.2 mpg.
CO2 emissions for the 2010 Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI also drop by 35g/Km to 132 g/Km and besides the standard version customers should know they can also order the cat in Sport or S line specification.
The 2010 Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI price starts at 19,985 GBP and orders are taken starting from this week.
Audi press release :
The smallest capacity petrol engine ever to power an Audi will help
to clear the air with A3 Cabriolet drivers this spring by slashing CO2
emissions while also improving performance. 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.
This compact engine, weighing just 89.5 kilograms with the help of
an aluminium crankcase, combines 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 exclusively 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.
This compact but impressively robust performer can be combined in
the A3 Cabriolet with either standard, Sport or S line specification.
Standard versions feature a generous equipment list that includes
16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, powered windows and mirrors, a
Chorus radio with single CD drive and semi-automatic hood operation
(the hood is attached to and released from the windscreen rail manually
but retracts and raises at the touch of a button)
On top of this, Sport versions combine features such as larger
17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and sports seats with fully
automatic hood operation, which adds automated ‘hands-free’ detachment
from, and attachment to, the windscreen rail, plus a wind deflector.
The hood, which can be lowered in just 9 seconds or raised in 11
seconds, also incorporates additional acoustic insulation, maximising
the potential for enjoyment of the upgraded Concert radio.
The most distinctive S line models supplement the Sport equipment
list externally with larger 18-inch 7 twin-spoke alloy wheels and S
line body styling including exclusive front and rear bumper design.
Inside, they add extras such as leather and Sprint cloth combination
upholstery embossed with the S line insignia, an S line multifunction
sports steering wheel, a perforated leather gear knob and matt brushed
aluminium inlays.
Ongoing Audi efficiency drive
The new Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI is the latest example of the Audi
drive to cut emissions by replacing larger capacity petrol engines with
more compact alternatives that use forced induction and direct
injection to deliver even more impressive performance results with
dramatic 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.
Picture caption
Audi A3 Cabriolet in a new capacity – The new A3
Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI, featuring the smallest capacity petrol engine ever
to power an Audi, opens for order this week priced from £19,985 OTR.

Source: Audi