Porsche Carrera Cabriolet models

Porsche has released a new convertible edition of the Carrera and Carrera S with an innovative new folding that features an intelligent and lightweight design to also reduce weight. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet will go on sale in March 2012 and offers you the sporting credentials of the 911 Coupe, combined with the thrill of open-top motoring.

The 911 Cabriolet offers the same engine line-up as the 911 Coupe with rear-mounted flat-six engines. The 3.4-litre engine in the 911 Carrera Cabriolet produces 350hp, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed manual transmission, while the Carrera S Cabriolet gets a 400hp 3.8-litre engine, also coupled to the seven-speed manual transmission as standard.

Both models return over 28 mpg which for a high-performance sports cabriolet is pretty good. You can always opt for the PDK double-clutch transmission which is an option that delivers even better fuel consumption and shorter acceleration times. The Carrera Cabriolet is priced from £79,947 and the Carrera S Cabriolet from £89,740.

2012 Model Year Audi A5

Audi has released details of their changes to the 2012 Model Year of the Audi A5, S5, A5 Sportback, A5/S5 Coupe and A5/S5 Cabriolet, which will be available to order from September 2011. The new car gets subtle design changes  both inside and out however the main changes are under the skin, to the engine (upgrades and replacements), new fuel-saving electromechanical power steering and also suspension revisions.

The key objective in updating the three ranges (Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet) was to get greater gains in efficiency using forced induction, rather than larger cubic capacity, to avoid comprimising on performance yet offering better fuel economy and lowering CO2 emissions by up to 22 per cent.

There is a new 272PS version of the supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine replacing the 3.2-litre FSI engine in the Coupe and Cabriolet. The existing 333PS version engine used in the S5 Sportback and S5 Cabriolet replaces the V8 in the S5 Coupe. A new 204PS 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine replaces the 2.7-litre TDI and reduces CO2 emissions to 129g/km in the front-wheel-drive A5 Coupe. An updated 177PS 2.0-litre TDI engine also offers 60.1mpg and 122g/km in front-wheel drive A5 2.0 TDI Coupe.

Inside the cabin, changes include new colour schemes and trims, revised switchgear and a new online service option that brings Google Earth mapping, plus in-car internet access. The full range has been detailed below plus the CO2 outputs of the new cars where known. Audi car leasing on the new A5 2012 Model Year range will be loaded shortly however there are still existing A5 models available.

The 2012 Model Year Audi A5 range:

A5 Coupe – from £26,490 OTR

1.8 TFSI 170PS                      Six-speed manual          134g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Six-speed manual           149g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Eight-speed multitronic     167g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro       Six-speed manual              169g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro       Seven-speed S tronic           159g/km

3.0 TFSI 272PS quattro       Seven-speed S tronic           TBC

2.0 TDI 177PS                      Six-speed manual              122g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     123g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS quattro         Six-speed manual               TBC

3.0 TDI 204PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     129g/km

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Six-speed manual                TBC

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Seven-speed S tronic           149g/km

S5 3.0 TFSI 333PS Seven-speed S tronic                     190g/km

A5 Sportback – from £25,540 OTR

1.8 TFSI 170PS                      Six-speed manual         136g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Six-speed manual          152g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Eight-speed multitronic     169g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro       Six-speed manual         172g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro       Seven-speed S tronic           159g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS                      Six-speed manual              122g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     127g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS quattro         Six-speed manual             TBC

2.0 TDI 177PS quattro         Seven-speed S tronic           TBC

3.0 TDI 204PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     129g/km

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Six-speed manual              TBC

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Seven-speed S tronic           149g/km

S5 Sportback 3.0 TFSI 333PS  Seven-speed S tronic      190g/km

A5 Cabriolet – from £29,450 OTR

1.8 TFSI 170PS                      Six-speed manual           143g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Six-speed manual             159g/km

2.0 TFSI 211PS                     Eight-speed multitronic         TBC

2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro       Seven-speed S tronic           164g/km

3.0 TFSI 272PS quattro       Seven-speed S tronic           TBC

2.0 TDI 177PS                       Six-speed manual              127g/km

2.0 TDI 177PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     TBC

2.0 TDI 177PS quattro         Six-speed manual               TBC

3.0 TDI 204PS                       Eight-speed multitronic     138g/km

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Six-speed manual                 TBC

3.0 TDI 245PS quattro        Seven-speed S tronic           154g/km

S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI 333PS     Seven-speed S tronic    199g/km

APS Sportec upgrade

There is a new performance upgrade available for the Audi S5 quattro coupe model offered by APS of Brackley, called the “Stage One” upgrade. This consists of a free flowing filter element and ECU remap which increases the power of the car from 328bhp at 6,000 rpm, to 425bhp at 6,640 rpm.

This reduces the 0-62mph time to 4.6 seconds (a reduction of 0.5 seconds) and the car is also limited to a top speed of 155mph. The upgrade is suitable for all coupe and cabriolet models of the 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged Audi S5 and costs £1,950 fitted including VAT. Please note that if you lease your car, you cannot make any modifications to your vehicle without checking with the leasing company first.

Audi prices rising

Audi has confirmed that from Tuesday the 25th May, prices across its 2011 model year range will be going up by an average of 2%. Customer orders placed and confirmed  by the 24th May will be price protected so if you are thinking of ordering an Audi you will need to move quickly.Recently advertised prices for the A1, RS 5, A8 and R8 Spyder will remain as they were originally advertised.

The three-door A3 and five-door A3 Sportback hatchbacks are going up by 1.9 per cent, the A4 Saloon and A4 Avant rsie by 2.4 per cent (in SE form) and the Audi A6 and A6 Avant by 2.0 per cent.

A5 Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet models will go up by 2.5 per cent, 2.4 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively and the Q5 and Q7 by 2.0 per cent and 0.6 per cent. The TT Coupe and TT Roadster are going up by 0.9 per cent.

New Megane Coupe-Cabriolet

Renault has released a preview of the new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet which is being launched at the Geneva Motor Show and becomes the sixth edition in the new Megane line-up.

The new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet has head turning looks and combines the elegance of a coupe with the open top enjoyment of a convertible thanks to its foldaway glass roof. The car is set to launched in Switzerland on the 2nd March and at L’Altelier Renault on the Champs Elysees in Paris on the 5th March.

Audi A3 Sportback

When thinking about ordering your new Audi you may take several weeks to make your mind up. Finally you decide on the model, colour, final vehicle specification and your Audi car leasing finance partner. Then, the next question is how long will it take to be delivered and this is where you may find you may have  a long wait before you get your new car.

On checking general availability for the Audi range, which is a popular make on the site, the stock position amongst one of the major dealer groups is generally low, with only the Audi TT range offering better availability. If you are faced with waiting for a factory order here is a rough idea of how long this might take (courtesy of the Inchcape Retail Group, one of the UK’s leading  car dealership chains).

Current Factory Order Lead Times

Audi A3 Cabriolet – 14 weeks

Audi A3 Hatch and Sportback – 12 weeks

Audi A4 – 14 weeks

Audi A5 Cabriolet, Coupe and Sportback - 18 weeks

Audi A6 – 18 weeks

Audi A8, Allroad and Q5 - 14 weeks

Audi Q7 & TT- 18 weeks.

Audi A3

Audi has introduced their fuel start-stop recuperation system into the A3 range with the Manual A3 140 PS 2.0 TDI three-door, five-door Sportback and Cabriolet models being the latest to benefit. The economy improvements also offer reductions in CO2 output of at least 19g/km, an efficiency saving of 16 per cent.

The start-stop system cuts engine power when idling and the clutch is released with the gearlever in neutral. Depress the clutch pedal and the engine starts in just two tenths of a second. The recuperation technology provides further fuel and CO2 savings by recycling a proportion of the wasted kinetic energy which is created as heat when braking. The energy created is stored in the battery to reduce the engine load when the car subsequently accelerates again. Audi car leasing prices on these models will be available shortly.

New Audi branding

The Audi car brand has always been easy to recognise with its famous interlocking rings, however all is set to change this week with a re-worked design. The new look has been achieved by a new font for the Audi script and also a more imposing new 3D treatment for the iconic four rings.

The new logo has been advertised heavily recently and uses simple light white spaces and images to complement the brand that Audi stands for, which is normally associated with “understated style”.

Audi UK has seen an exceptional rise in the premium sector rising from 43,000 Audi’s being registered in 2000 to 100,845 in 2008. The Audi range offers something for everyone with new entrants such as the A3 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, Q5, RS6 and R8, as well established core models like the all-new A4 and A4 Avant widening its appeal.

New Peugeot 207 CC

Peugeot is launching a restyled version of its top selling coupe cabriolet, the Peugeot 207 CC, in August 2009 which builds on the strengths of the previous model to offer a more sporty visual appeal. The front of the car has a “softer” one-piece design with a new re-designed front grille (with chrome detailing) to match. More body colour coding is evident on the car plus new circular foglights are located at the edges of the front panel.

At the rear the car gets new hi-tech rear lights with LED technology, plus the GT and Sport versions get the rear bumper panel painted to match the body colour. The Sport also gets rear parking sensors. From the side new style wheels; five spoke 16-inch “Canberra” alloys wheels on the Sport and two-tone eight spoke 17-inch “Melbourne” alloy wheels on the GT give the car and even more dynamic look.

New Peugeot 207 CC

The 207 CC offers excellent stability and braking features including ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBFD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). On the GT versions, ESP is standard and optional on the Sport with the THP 150 and HDi versions you also get the Steering Stability Program (SSP). The cars all have a new Peugeot Connect USB (with Bluetooth) entertainment system which includes a radio with a MP3 compatible single CD player, plus USB box.

Colours available are Bianca White (GT version only), Flamenco Red, Aluminium, Hermitage Grey, Shark Grey, Onyx Black and Inari Blue. At launch the 207 CC will be available with four different power plants and two gear box options, a four speed automatic and a five-speed manual and Peugeot car leasing prices are available now.

The performance data is as follows.