Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Audi A3 Cabriolet: Test Drive (continued)
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Audi A3 Cabriolet: Test Drive (continued)

Date: 29 January 2008   |   Author: Guy Bird

Audi A3 Cabriolet
Category: Cabriolet
Price: £20,470-£25,500
Key Rival: BMW 1-series Cabrio

Inside, it's all standard 'Audi upmarket', but aim your drivers towards the higher Sport and S Line trims (the latter due later this year) for what it does best - black leather, rubber and matt chrome - and also a fully automatic roof. Standard trim only gets a semi-automatic roof - one you have to unclip - and without an extra layer of acoustic lining.

audi_a3_cabriolet.gif

The rear has good extra functionality with rear seats that fold 50:50 flat to stow longer items, and Audi claims 674 litres of luggage space to the car's waistline. Stacking higher with the roof and windows down would of course be an error. Stacking six-footers in the rear is okay for headroom but not so good for legroom.

Out of the engine range only the base 1.9 TDI was unavailable to drive. The others, from the 160PS 1.8 and 200PS 2.0 petrol to the 140PS 2.0 diesel are all good fun to drive with plenty of power, decently responsive steering and a comfortable ride - admittedly on very smooth roads.

The petrol with S Tronic paddleshift semi-auto is particularly good for fun or lazy driving, but the best tax and comfort bet will be the six-speed manual 2.0 diesel Sport, which also has a lower list price than the petrol. With the fully automatic and acoustic roof as standard raised up, noise at cruising speed is negligible. Even top down, things stay quiet until you reach higher motorway speeds. With sales predictions modest, RVs should stay very tidy. Expect interest to be high.

BACK...



Share


Subscribe