THE smallest petrol engine to be used by Audi to date will make its debut in a high economy version of the A3 cabriolet.

Priced from £19,985 the 1.2-litre Audi A3 cabriolet will be on sale in May replacing the current 1.6-litre model.

Despite the smaller engine the new car out performs the 1.6-litre A3 while slashing exhaust emissions from 167 to 132g/km putting it into the £110 a year tax bracket.

The turbo charged engine in the A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI develops 105 PS giving it a 0 to 60mph acceleration of 12.2 seconds, top speed of 118mph and average fuel economy of 49.6mpg.

This compares to 12.5 seconds, 114mph and 40.4mpg for the 1.6-litre.

The engine will be available in standard, sport and S line trim.

Standard models feature 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, powered windows and mirrors and a semi automatic hood.

Sport versions have 17-inch alloys, sports suspension and sports seats with a fully automatic hood which enables ‘hands-free' detachment from and to the windscreen rail, plus a wind deflector.

The hood, which can be lowered in nine seconds or raised in 11, also has acoustic insulation.

S line models have even larger 18-inch seven twin-spoke alloy wheels and additional body styling as well as leather upholstery.