Audi TT

To mark the occasion the German company hoisted the much anticipated soft-top up over Brighton Marina using the larg­est crane in Britain!

The car brought traffic to a stand­still as it was lifted on to the second-floor balcony of the plush Seattle Hotel on the waterfront - the centrepiece for the event.

Audi said the exercise was possible thanks to the TT's lightweight bodyshell, which is 58 per cent aluminium. According to the marque, the seaside resort in East Sussex was also the perfect testing ground for the newcomer - Brighton's changeable weather provided ample oppor­tunity to test the electric mech-anism on the TT Roadster's folding fabric roof. Prices for the new model start from £26,915, which is powered by a choice of 197bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo or 3.2-litre 247bhp V6 petrol engines. It's also equipped with quattro four-wheel drive and the company's new magnetic ride suspension control system.