| All-new Model | 2007 Bologna Motor Show | Audi A3 Cabriolet |
It's taken a while, but Audi has finally revealed details of its A3 Cabriolet. Open-top motoring might be the last thing on many people's minds in winter, but sales don't start until spring next year, meaning buyers should have their cars in time to enjoy the summer sun. Eschewing the current trend for folding hard-tops the A3's roof is fabric, offered in semi- or fully-automatic specifications and dropping in just 9 seconds. Audi claims the choice of a fabric roof not only aids packaging, but also allows for a more elegant, harmonious design. It's also allowed Audi to offer the unusual feature of folding rear seats to increase luggage space from 260 to 674 litres, making the A3 Cabriolet a surprisingly practical drop-top choice.
Audi claims those rear seats make the A3 a proper four-seater, but expect leg-room to be exceptionally tight for all but the tiniest of passengers. However, Cabriolets are rarely bought with anything but style in mind and Audi has delivered its usual crisp design to the open-top A3 - roof up or down. The front end features the now familiar large-frame Audi grille, the A3 Cabriolet debuting new headlamps that offer the option of Audi's glitzy LED daytime running lights. Three hood colours will be offered, along with alloy wheel sizes ranging from a standard 16-inches to optional 18-inches. S-Line styling and sports packages will also be offered, the suspension available in either standard guise or a firmer sport set up.
Engine choices at launch will be limited to four, four-cylinder models. Two turbodiesels of 1.9 and 2.0-litre capacity are offered, the 1.9 able to reach 62mph in 12.3 seconds and return over 55mpg on the official combined cycle. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel drops the 0-62mph time to a less slovenly 9.9 seconds and is able to return a still impressive 53+mpg on the combined cycle. The turbocharged petrol choices are Audi's 1.8 TFSI with 157bhp (0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds) and a 197bhp 2.0-litre TFSI that's able of reaching 62mph in 7.3 seconds. All will drive their front wheels only, leaving Audi the opportunity to offer quattro four-wheel drive models with more powerful engine choices in the future. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but expect them to start at around £21,000 and be very competitive with its BMW 1 Series Convertible rival that arrives around the same time to the UK market.
Kyle Fortune - 30 Nov 2007
