On show: A8 and S8 facelift, A3 Cabriolet, 600bhp Sport Quattro concept, mid-engined diesel Nanuk Quattro concept
All new A3 Cabriolet
With the all-new hatchback launched at the end of 2012 and the Sportback and Saloon versions reaching showrooms earlier in the year, it was just a matter of time before Audi announced a revamped A3 Cabriolet was making its way to production.
Making its world debut at the show this year, order books for the A3 Cabriolet open in October with deliveries starting in March next year.
Bigger and lighter than the car it replaces, the new A3 Cabriolet will be launched with three newly developed engines offering a maximum fuel efficiency of 67.3 mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 110g/km.
Audi has also announced that the first ever S3 quattro Cabriolet is set to join the range shortly after the official launch of the A3 Cabriolet.
Next-generation Audi A8
The Audi A8 has been upgraded bringing, according to Audi, more luxury than ever before.
Audi has only subtly tweaked the design and the upgraded car will be available in a choice of seven petrol or diesel engines, the majority of which have been revised to improve performance and efficiency.
The most efficient diesel engine is the 3.0 TDI, which returns up to 47.9 mpg and produces 155g/km CO2.
Some new technology also makes its debut in the facelifted A8, including Lane Assist – which makes slight steering adjustments when necessary – and Park Assist.
The new Audi A8 is expected to reach its first UK customers in January 2014. Full pricing and UK specification information will be announced closer to the time.
You can find out more information about the Audi A8 in our full review
S8 Facelift
It’s not just the A8 that has had a refresh. The S8, it’s performance-focused sibling, has had some attention from Audi’s designers and engineers too. It features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 churning out well over 500bhp and will accelerate from standstill to 62mph in 4.1 seconds. Driven in a more restrained fashion, however, Audi claims it will average 28mpg.
It can be told apart from the regular A8 by two large elliptical exhaust tailpipes and 20-inch wheels.
There’s more info on the current Audi S8 in the full Parkers review here.
Sport Quattro Concept
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Sport quattro, Audi has unveiled the Sport quattro concept car.
Designed with motorsport in mind, the Sport quattro concept has some impressive performance credentials. The car can sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 189mph.
It’s a plug-in-hybrid with three driving modes: EV mode with a 31-mile range available, Hybrid mode and Sport mode.
The electric motor is combined with the same 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 petrol engine found in the RS6 and RS7 performance cars. Total power output is nearly 690bhp.
A limited production run has been mooted, but expect a price tag of around £150,000 if it happens.
You can read more about the Sport quattro in our concept car guide here.
Nanuk Quattro diesel concept
As if one Quattro concept wasn’t enough, Audi has also unveiled a suprise diesel-powered supercar design study. Called the Nanuk Quattro concept, it has been designed with input from the famous Italdesign Giugiaro design studios and features a new 5.0-litre V10 diesel engine.
Positioned behind the driver, the V10 is claimed to develop 544bhp and could power the Nanuk to a theoretical top speed of 189mph. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and, as the Quattro name suggests, the Nanuk is four-wheel drive.
Although it weighs the best part of two tonnes, Audi reckon it’ll get from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds but could average as much as 36.2mpg.
You can read more about the Nanuk show car in our concept car guide here.
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