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Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI Sport: Test Drive
Date: 03 October 2008 | Author: Tristan Young Paul Barker
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What's new: Audi has finally entered the small convertible market. The A3 arrived in the UK just in time to meet BMW's 1-series head on.
Excellent: It looks a lot better (both roof up and roof down) than the picture suggests with the proportions working particularly well in the metal. The roof also folds in a super-quick nine seconds.
Good: Two small adults will be comfortable in the back, unlike most cabrios on the market, while the boot doesn't suffer from intrusion when the roof's down because it sits pram-style on the rear flank.
Average: Though the 160PS 1.8-litre turbo is great, 38.7mpg and 174g/km are only adequate, leaving this version at a moderate 52.4ppm.
Poor: The boot entry is pillar-box small thanks to the way the boot opens. There were also too many rattles and squeaks with our test car, although that's a common convertible problem.
Verdict: Great-looking, moderately practical choice, and the turbo petrol engine is a corker.
