| First Drive | Paul Ricard, France | Audi A3 Cabriolet |

Audi chose to launch its A3 Cabriolet at the same event as its new RS6 super Avant. That might sound risky, but it wasn't the RS6 that surprised everybody, it was the A3. Always a competent car in regular hatchback guise, Audi's decision to remove its roof so late in its life might be one of the most inspired it's made. Driving with surprising verve, the A3 Cabriolet faces up to that other new compact premium drop-top - the BMW 1 Series Convertible - and the A3 Cabriolet is good enough to give BMW customers real reason to look elsewhere.

In the Metal

Roof up, the A3 Cabriolet looks fantastic, the coupé-like profile of the canvas roof giving it a real new look against its familiar hatchback relative. It's not just above your head where the styling has been changed though, as Audi has added new front headlamps with the glitzy LED strip eyebrows that have become an Audi styling feature of late - the rear lights get a smart new design, too. These changes will inevitably make their way onto the regular hatchback in time, but for now they give the Cabriolet a fresh new look.

Roof down it's just as neat, though sadly Audi has chosen to place rather ugly rollover bars behind the rear seats and this upsets its otherwise svelte lines. They also do little for rear visibility, which roof up or down is pretty hopeless in the tiny rear-view mirror. Inside it's the usual Audi story of excellent quality materials, well thought out design and just enough styling flair to make it interesting. Space is surprisingly good, there being decent enough legroom in the rear, though even so we'd not want to be spending too much time back there - and with the wind-deflector in place it's impossible.

What you get for your Money

Four engines are initially offered in the line up, two diesels of 1.9- and 2.0-litre capacity, and a pair of turbocharged TFSI petrol engines of 1.8- and 2.0-litres. That latter unit is the same as you'll find in the VW Golf GTI and a host of other VAG products, its 197bhp giving it the ability to sprint to 62mph in 7.4 seconds. That's only 0.9 seconds quicker than the 157bhp 1.8 TFSI, which really is all the engine you could ever need.

All A3 Cabrios come with a load-through boot, so if practicality is a consideration - it's unlikely to be - then the A3 Cabriolet is a useful choice. Trim levels are currently limited to Standard and Sport, the price difference of £1,850 upgrading the hood's operation from partially manual to fully automatic. When activated, the roof lowers in just nine seconds, and can be operated at speeds of up to 19mph. S-Line trim will join the range later in the year, it likely to add even more sporting looks and premium equipment - expect it to quickly become the best-selling derivative when it arrives. Five or six-speed manual gearboxes come as standard, an S tronic (DSG) six-speed auto also available - we'd avoid it.

Driving it

With competition in the shape of BMW's new 1 Series Convertible, the A3 Cabriolet has to be good on the road. It is, surprisingly so. The engine range is well judged, both the petrol engines offering excellent, eager performance. The manual six-speed gearbox shifts precisely, which is preferable to the self-shifting S tronic option. The turbodiesels lack some of the excitement of the petrol engines, but their economy advantages are difficult to ignore for customers who'll use the A3 for lengthier commutes.

There's a touch of scuttle shake on less than perfect roads, but otherwise the A3 Cabriolet rides well and handles with real precision. There's not a great deal of information at the rim of the steering wheel, but enough to make it an enjoyable drive. Rear view visibility is an issue, and it's not as quiet as some rivals with the roof down and wind deflector down, but otherwise it's a very desirable premium-badged drop-top.

Worth Noting

Sport specification is really a must to ensure the fitment of that fully automatic roof - no point looking good at the lights then having to wrestle with a manual header release. Economy in all is impressive, though obviously the diesels are the stars, the 1.9-litre managing 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and the 2.0-litre 53.3mpg. The petrol engines offer consumption figures in the late 30mpg area. Carbon dioxide emissions range from 134g/km to 182g/km. Only the four engines and front-wheel drive are offered for now, but don't rule out bigger, more powerful engine derivatives and quattro four-wheel drive in future models.

Summary

It's taken Audi a while to get around to turning the A3 into a convertible, but it's been worth the wait. Most surprisingly though is that it's created such an enjoyable driver's car in the process, it really worthy of mention alongside its key, rear-wheel drive, BMW 1 Series rival. Smart looks and Audi's typical attention to detail on build quality, interior functionality and style make it a very desirable choice in the new premium compact convertible marketplace.