Audi A3 Cabriolet: Test Drive

Audi’s new A3 2.0 TDI Cabriolet drops its top twice as fast as all its competitors – from the forthcoming BMW’s 1-series cabrio to metal tops like the VW Eos.

For the record that’s 9.0 seconds compared to 22 seconds for both its rivals.

The reason for the swiftness is that Audi has dispensed with a separate metal cover and changed the way the fabric roof folds to a ‘Z-shaped’ pattern where the stiffer front roof part becomes the final ‘cover’. It works well – no surprise when you learn the A3 cabrio shares its roof supplier with Bentley.

The A3 Cabrio is classically good-looking, too; much less awkward than the BMW 1-series cabrio and pleasingly hatchback-esque in profile compared to its more saloon-like metal-top rivals. The front has new, curvaceous light cluster details and daytime LED running light ‘eyebrows’ to soften the bold grille.

Inside, it’s all standard ‘Audi upmarket’, but aim your drivers towards the...

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