Audi launches the A3 Cabriolet
Compact cabriolet is the latest car in Audi’s rapidly expanding line-up
By Lionel Kong
THE NEW AUDI A3 Cabriolet made its world debut on 30 November, and will be the third soft top in the current Audi line-up, alongside the A4 Cabriolet and TT Roadster. It will be available with two turbocharged petrol engine options; the new-generation 1.8-litre TFSI that made its debut a few months back in the new Audi A4 as well as a 2.0-litre TFSI engine.
Both variants will have Audi’s six-speed S tronic twin clutch semi-automatic gearbox, and will be front-wheel driven. A manual six-speed gearbox is also available, but it is unlikely to be sold in Singapore.
The 1.8-litre engine develops 160bhp, launching the car from 0 to 100km/h in just 8.3 seconds and then on to a top speed of 218km/h. The more powerful 2.0-litre engine comes straight from the Audi TT, and in the A3 Cabriolet is capable of taking the car from 0 to 100km/h in a very rapid 7.3 seconds, topping out at 231km/h.
At 4,238mm in length, the A3 Cabriolet is slightly longer than the existing 3-door A3 hatchback, which measures 4,214mm. It is designed as a four-seater, but experience has often shown us that compact cabriolets usually have quite uselessly small back seats. Still, we won’t really know until we see the car in person.
Audi claims that one of the major selling points of the A3 Cabriolet is its variable boot design. The back seats are split 50:50, and can be folded down to increase luggage carrying capacity.
Like on the TT Roadster, the top of the automated fabric soft top folds flush with the top edge of the car, eliminating the need for a separate tonneau cover. An acoustic hood will also be available as an option. On this, there is a synthetic fibre mat between the outer skin and the inner lining that further improves thermal insulation and soundproofing. Audi claims that at a speed of 140 km/h it is only 1dB louder inside the A3 Cabriolet with an acoustic hood fitted than in the hard top A3.
The roof takes nine seconds to retract fully, and it folds into its own compartment so that luggage space is unaffected. There is 260 litres of space in the boot, whether the roof is up or down. Fold down the rear seats and this increases to a respectable 674 litres.
A fully loaded options pack allows the owner to specify the car with LED daytime running lamps that were first introduced on the new A4, along with xenon headlamps. The optional sports suspension kit will lower the car by 15mm.
Audi Singapore says that the car is expected to arrive in Singapore sometime in the later half of 2008, likely after the local launch of the new A4 sedan. It added that we would receive the 1.8-litre version first, with the 2.0-litre variant arriving sometime later.
