The sleek design will...

The sleek design will help Audi take on fresh competition in the shape of BMW"s forthcoming 3-Series CC, which will provide the added versatility of

a folding metal hard-top. The current Beemer outperformed its Audi rival in the sales charts last year, so bosses are keen that the new A4 will boost their market share.

Changes to the Audi"s interior will be less noticeable, with only minor trim upgrades bringing the well built cabin up to date. Front passengers will sit on new seats borrowed from the A6, while the centre boss of the steering wheel reflects the shape of the grille.

Under the bonnet, Audi will fit some of its latest engines. These include the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit, along with the powerful 3.2-litre FSI petrol motor. The ageing 1.8-litre turbo powerplant is expected to soldier on in the entry-level model.

However, the 2.5-litre diesel will be dropped, with the acclaimed 201bhp 3.0-litre TDI from the A4 saloon taking its place. This modern oil-burner not only offers improved performance, but is also quieter and more refined - a crucial element in an open-top car.

The high-performance flagship S4 retains its powerful 4.2-litre V8, but there will be no drop-top version of the RS4. A variety of models will come with the quattro all-wheel-drive system, and buyers get the choice of five and six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. Audi"s sequential DSG transmission will also be offered.

Under the skin, the Cabriolet gets the chassis upgrades which have had such a great effect on the saloon"s handling. Revised suspension and steering will provide a more involving drive, while a smoother ride quality should allow buyers to opt for large-diameter alloy wheels, without making the ride of their Audi uncomfortable.

Prices have yet to be announced, but aren"t likely to increase significantly over the existing model. That means entry-level Cabrio variants will cost around н‚бЈ25,500, while the flagship S4 comes in at approximately н‚бЈ41,500.