Audi’s new A3 Sportback, which is due for Australian release in February 2005, now lets in more light with the ‘open sky system’.

The panoramic glass sunroof, covering an area of more than half a square metre, lets in twice as much daylight as a conventional sunroof. The roof is glazed in appearance all the way from the windscreen to the rear window, emphasising the sporty looks of the Audi A3 Sportback.

The open sky system gives the occupants a new, heightened sense of spaciousness. The large glass roof lets more light and fresh air into the car. The divided glass panel allows the car's occupants to open it in various different stages. If the front panel is raised at the rear, the passenger compartment is supplied with draught-free fresh air even when the car is travelling at high speeds. The comfort position involves sliding the roof partly to the rear. And when fully-opened and slid backwards, the open sky system affords new perspectives on the outside world.

The roof can be opened conveniently at the press of a switch. The first two configurations, the raised roof and the comfort position, are pre-programmed and can be selected by briefly pressing the switch.

There is also ample flexibility for screening out the sun thanks to two roller blinds, which are colour-coordinated with the interior, and can be operated from both the front and rear seats, to adjust the interior conditions. The roller blinds can even be closed with the roof fully open, thus complementing the wind deflector by providing additional protection against draughts and harsh sun.

The glass roof gives the already sporty Audi A3 Sportback an extra shot of dynamism. The use of toughened safety glass and a cross-member in the roof between the front and rear seats ensures that, importantly, driving pleasure goes hand in hand with optimum safety.

The open sky system will be available in Australia following the launch of the new A3 Sportback in February 2005.

Pricing and specification has not been released for Australian models.