New Audi A3 Cabriolet review
Audi A3 Cabrio - impressive package if you don't impale your face
Author: David Miles
Published: 21 April 2008
Audi’s first ever compact cabriolet arrives in the UK from 10 May in time for summer with prices from £20,745 to £27,060.
These are less than its main rival, the new BMW 1 Series Convertible, but they are around £2,000 more expensive than the equivalent A3 three-door hatchbacks on which the Cabriolets are based.
Engines
Initially the new A3 soft-top models are available with turbocharged, four-cylinder engines and front wheel drive. There are two petrol and two TDI diesel units – 1.8 T 160PS, 2.0 T 200PS, 1.9 TDI 105PS and 2.0 TDI 140PS.
The 1.9 TDI model has a five-speed manual gearbox, the others six-speed manual transmissions. Around 30 per cent of customers are likely to choose the S tronic twin-clutch transmission, available at an extra cost of £1,400 for all versions except bar the 1.9 TDI.
Specification
There are three specification levels – Standard, Sport (£1,850 premium over standard) and S line (£1,550 premium over Sport). The new A3 Cabriolet is a four-seater but with a luggage capacity from 260 litres to 674 litres depending on whether the rear seats are folded.
Standard specification includes alloy wheels, semi-automatic hood operation, air conditioning, powered windows and mirrors and a CD audio system. Sport and S line models incorporate a fully automatic acoustic hood and wind deflector.
Engines
Interestingly BMW thinks their 118i petrol 1 Series Convertible model will be the most popular, it certainly is their cheapest variant and petrol models overall with sell more than diesel. Audi for the A3 Cabriolet think the opposite.
They say diesel models will take 70 per cent of their sales and the 2.0 TDI variants priced from £22,760 to £26,160 will be most popular.
Unfortunately at the press launch in the South of France last week Audi only had the 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol models for us to try, no diesels at all. Unless customers are really high mileage users I’m no longer sure that diesel models in a cabriolet range work.
They generally cost more to buy and diesel fuel is much more expensive than petrol. On the other hand for diesel models Benefit in Kind company car tax can be lower, as is road tax and diesel engines give more mpg.
I think in this class, where retail buyers predominate and mileages are not generally high, looks and affordable price count for much more than performance.
Although as I’ve said, we did not drive diesel models. The 1.9 TDI model might be the cheapest version in the range but it also the oldest engine. If diesel is the choice go for the new Audi 2.0 TDI unit, we know it’s very refined, powerful and more importantly quiet.
The two direct injection turbocharged petrol engines are ideal for the A3 Cabriolet. They are quiet, fuel efficient and CO2 friendly. The 1.8-litre TFSI unit produces 160PS from 5,000rpm so it needs to be pushed hard if the driver is in a hurry.
However for day to day driving with maximum torque of 250Nm developed from only 1,500rpm makes it an ideal unit for our usual congested roads or driving in town. The latest VW family TFSI turbocharged direct injection petrol engines are very close to providing diesel like driving characteristics.
Performance
Top speed is 135mph, 0-62mph takes 8.3 seconds with the manual transmission. With the S tronic auto the car is marginally faster under acceleration. The average official fuel economy from this 1.8-litre engine with a manual gearbox is 38.7mpg and our test car returned 32.5mpg during some spirited driving on traffic free country roads around the Bandol region.
CO2 emissions are 174g/km so the annual road tax bill is going to be £170 the same as the 2.0-litre TFSI.
The 2.0-litre TFSI unit pushes out 200PS from 5,100rpm with 280Nm of torque from 1,700rpm. Top speed is 144mph, 0-62mph takes 7.4 seconds. Official average fuel economy is 37.2mpg but the test car came nowhere near that in real life returning just 28.8mpg.
CO2 emissions are 182g/km so road tax is also £170. Yes this engine is a bit faster, perhaps more responsive but there is so little to choose between it and the 1.8-litre unit, I’d go for the latter and save £1,360.
Folding roof
Audi says that by giving the A3 Cabriolet a classic Z shape folding fabric roof the advantages are quick up and down action - lowered in nine seconds, raised in 11 seconds, at speeds up to 19mph.
The roof is lighter, less complicated than a folding metal roof and it takes up the minimum of space in the boot when folded and gives rear passengers more room. Audi also says it looks better and it is more distinctive than a folding metal roof and in the cabriolet market looks matter.
Taking the roof off a conventional car and turning it into a cabriolet normally unhinges the integrity of the bodyshell. Torsional stiffness becomes an issue and the body starts to flex during cornering or over bad road surfaces. Very little of this was evident with the A3 Cabriolet.
It is there but you do not really notice it. The front wheel drive layout means the car handles well, it is agile, the steering is well weighted, precise and the cornering is predictable. Ride comfort is also excellent.
Wind buffeting inside the car for the passengers is minimal, especially for the front seat passengers. With the roof up the insulation against wind and road noise is also good and the roof mechanism is quiet and very fast to operate. With the roof up visibility to rear quarters is restricted.
With the roof down the steeply raked front A pillar causes some concern and obstruction getting into the car without impaling your face on the end of it.
Interior
The quality of the interior is typical Audi, top-notch. The driving position is first rate and the controls are easy to see and use.
Whilst there is plenty of room in the front, the rear passengers are well catered for with adequate legroom for adults, better than the BMW 1-Series Convertible in that area. The boot is a good size as well.
All in all the new Audi A3 Cabriolet is a pretty car, it looks really smart, build quality is excellent and I can see it becoming really a fashionable but very useable must-have motor.
MILESTONES
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI Sport
Price: £24,150
Engine/transmission: 1.8-litre direct injection petrol with turbocharger and intercooler, 160PS 250Nm of torque from 1,500rpm, 6-speed manual gearbox, front wheel drive
Performance: 135mph, 0-62mph 8.3 seconds, 38.7mpg32.5mpg actual, CO2 174g/km, VED Band E £170, BIK tax 21%
For: Right size, right looks, classy desirability factor, good to drive, easy to use roof, well made, good quality cabin
Against: Can be expensive if lots of options are added, steeply reclining front A pillar can attack tallish front passengers when entering the car.
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The new Audi A3 Cabriolet is now available with Parallel Park Assist system for drop-top motorists who want to park in a hurry.
Audi is set to launch the A3 TDI clubsport quattro, a one-off show car featuring the most extreme incarnation to date of its advanced four-cylinder TDI engine.
The new Audi A3 launches this week from £14,995, promising improved fuel economy and emissions, improved styling and improved quattro four-wheel drive.
Audi has facelifted the A3 hatchback and five-door A3 Sportback, with both cars likely to be on sale in the UK by this summer. A new S3 Sportback also joins the range for the first time.
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Im suspicious as to why there were no Diesels at the launch. What is Audi trying to hide? Refinement? Handling?