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07/02/2008 02:26 PM - (SA) The Audi A3 goes topless! 08/02/08
On the flip side the soft top takes up far less luggage space, and being considerably lighter helps to lower the centre of gravity for improved handling, but noise levels in the car are generally higher and some fabric roofs look very inelegant to say the least. Audi have decided on the latter for the A3 Cabriolet and have succeeded in designing a soft top that is not only weatherproof and quiet but, when erected, adds a new edge to the flowing lines of the tin top version. Audi seem to be one of the few manufacturers that are able to produce a derivative of an existing model and it always looks right, just take a look at another A3 derivative the Sportback, and you'll see what I mean. The A3 soft top is available in two versions, the semi automatic with two layers of fabric or the fully automatic which is known as the acoustic top and has three layers. The acoustic top is remarkable and reduces external noise to the same level as a metal roof, at 140 km/h the sound level is only one decibel higher than the hardtop version. By storing the Z fold top in its own compartment, the boot space is not impaired and offers 260 litres of stowage. By folding the 50/50 split rear seats this can be increased to 674 litres. If you are wondering about the rear seats, the A3 Cabriolet is listed as a four seater, but as with any vehicle of the genre, rear leg room is limited, but it would be possible to transport two rear seat passengers in relative comfort. Power for the A3 is via a range of four engines, two petrol and two diesel. Starting with the 1.9 litre TDi producing 77 kW and 250 Nm of torque, to the all new 2.0 TDi that delivers 103 kW between 1750 and 2500 rpm and generates 320 Nm of torque. The petrol line-up features the newly developed 1.8 TFSI producing 118 kW and 250 Nm, and the two-litre version putting out 280 Nm of torque and 147 kW of power. Transmission on the 1.9 TDi is through a five speed manual box with its bigger siblings utilising a six speed manual with the option of the six speed S tronic dual clutch automatic gearbox. I was fortunate to attend the International Press Launch of the A3 Cabriolet in southern France just a couple of weeks ago and drove the new 2.0TDi. Motoring through the Provencal countryside, the 2.0TDi with the optional S tronic gearbox proved to be a very pleasurable experience. Despite the fact of Europe being in the middle of winter, we were greeted with warm sunny weather which allowed me to experience the A3 with top down. The variable vane geometry of the turbo charger ensured that power delivery was smooth and progressive and it was hard to believe that this was a diesel. A quick prod of the throttle gave an instant response, and although the A3 would not win awards for a quarter mile sprint, it handled the twisting mountainous route with ease. The S tronic gearbox performed well, I spent most of my time in the full automatic mode rather than sport and was surprised at the rapid response on kick down. In sport and using the paddle shift, the box provided quick shifts up and down the ratios, but it comes down to a matter of choice as the full auto provided fast enough gear changes and allowed more time to enjoy the chassis dynamics of the A3 Cabriolet. Handling and steering were good, giving you full confidence to really enjoy the narrow twisting roads of the region. I travelled on narrow country lanes and motorways on our route down to Toulon, and then back to the rendezvous point at the Paul Ricard Race Circuit, and despite a very short time with the car was impressed enough to say that the Audi A3 Cabriolet has once again allowed Audi to set a new benchmark in the compact luxury car segment. The A3 Cabriolet's South African debut is set for the third quarter of 2008, when the model range and pricing will be announced.
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