Audi has grown the A3 range with the inclusion of the Cabriolet bodyshape – which was first introduced on the previous A3. The new, third generation, A3 Cabriolet boasts a lightweight design, introduces new engines and features and is now available in South Africa.
The A3 Cabriolet is based on the sedan model that was launched late last year, and its exterior dimensions have increased from its predecessor in terms of length and width (from 4 240 mm to 4 420 mm and 1 770 mm to 1 790 mm, respectively). The wheelbase is also slightly longer than that of the previous A3 Cabriolet.
The drop-top A3’s cloth roof, which uses a lightweight magnesium-alloy frame and is available in three colours (black, brown and grey), opens and closes at the touch of a button in just 17 seconds and 18 seconds respectively – at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
The A3 Cabriolet is being launched with two turbocharged petrol engines, the 92 kW 1,4T FSI and 132 kW 1,8T FSI – both of which feature direct-injection and stop/start technology. Both units can be mated to a manual gearbox or S tronic automated transmission. Audi claims the A3 Cabriolet with the 1,4T FSI motor can accelerate to 100 km/h in 10,2 seconds, and deliver an average fuel consumption of just 5,3 litres/100 km, while the 1,8T FSI can reach the benchmark sprint in just 7,8 seconds and consume 5,8 litres/100 km.
On the inside, the A3 Cabriolet boasts enough room for four adults, with bootspace increased to 320 litres from the 260-litre capacity available before.
Prices
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1,4T FSI S manual – R 419,500
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1,4T FSI S S tronic – R 436,500
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1,8T FSI SE manual – R 448,000
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1,8T FSI SE S tronic – R 465,000
The Audi A3 Cabriolet comes standard with a 5 year/100 00km maintenance, which can be extended to 7 years/200 000km.
