Audi has lifted the veil off of the 2014 S3 Cabriolet ahead of its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
Under the S3’s hood lies a 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine equipped with a turbocharger and direct fuel injection. Linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed S tronic dual-clutch unit, the mill sends 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque to all four wheels via Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system.
When equipped with the dual-clutch gearbox, the S3 rockets from zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and goes on to a top speed that is electronically limited to 250 kmph. A sound flap mounted in the S3’s exhaust system opens up under hard acceleration to give the engine a deeper growl.
Visually, the S3 stands apart from the regular A3 thanks to a lower ground clearance, a model-specific grille and an air diffuser flanked by four chromed exhaust tips. 18-inch alloy rims mounted on low profile tires come standard, and beefier disc brakes on all four corners help bring the car to a stop.
Save for a model-specific instrument cluster and a sprinkling of S3 badges, the next-gen S3 Cabriolet’s dashboard nearly identical to the one found in the A3 Cabriolet. The front passengers are treated to bucket seats with “S3” stitched into the seatbacks.
Like its hatchback counterpart, the convertible is equipped with an electronic progressive steering system that Audi says is comfortable and smooth when the car is driving in a straight line and direct and responsive on twisty roads, giving the driver the best of both worlds.
The S3 Cabriolet will land in showrooms across Europe next summer with a base price of €48,500, a sum that converts to roughly $66,800.