What’s hot?
- Style. Top up or down, this third generation A3 Cabriolet arrives on the market as a smart, well proportioned car with a premium look.
- The new A3 Cabriolet’s key feature, the high grade power roof, can open/close in under 18 secs and at speeds up to 31mph.
- The roof automatically stows smoothly away under the rear deck, leaving a clear all round view – and plenty of riviera style – in top down mode.
It’ll do this on the move too, and takes 18 seconds - In this 1.4 petrol spec, the A3 proves ultra refined and quiet to drive. Top down, with the rear wind deflector in place, there’s very little wind buffeting at all – impressive.
- The Cabriolet body (a mix of aluminium and steel) feels rigid and stands up well to road shocks and bumps in top down mode (ie little or no scuttle shake). Top up, it’s rock solid.
- Cabin presentation. The Cabriolet gets the latest high quality A3 dashboard, instruments etc. Fit, finish and clarity top notch throughout
- Go for the Sport grade and you get Sports suspension as standard (15 mm lower than Standard) but Standard can also be specced as a no-cost option.
- Good economy – 56.5mpg combined – is claimed as class best, helped by the lightweight 1.4 engine’s clever Cylinder on Demand technology which unobstrusively cuts out two cylinders at low speeds to improve efficiency.
- Kerb weight of 1440kg is claimed to be the lightest in its class.
- Compact body yet there’s four seats and a decent size boot, so usefully on the pace for everyday practicality .
- Extra luggage space vs the previous A3 Cab: 320 litres vs 260 litres with the hood closed, Audi says. 678 litres vs 674 with rear seats folded down.
- £0 VED at least for the firs year, and low a company car tax rate of 14% with this engine means low company car tax of just £63 per month if you’re a 20% tax payer.
What’s not?
- It’s billed as having generous space for four passengers, yet rear seats on the A3 Cabriolet are a touch cramped for adults
- With the rear wind deflector in place, access to the rear seats is cut off
- Boot is bigger versus the previous A3 Cabriolet but access still hampered by that deep well to stow the roof.
- Low speed ride quality on patchy surfaces a bit niggly on the test car’s optional 18-inch wheels
- If you want goodies like Xenon lights, rear wind deflector, heated seats etc, then these are all options on this A3’s bracing price list, at this grade.
