Introduction
Introduced back in 2008, the A3 Cabriolet effectively created its own class of compact executive cabriolets but nowadays it rivals the BMW 2 Series Convertible as well as other less premium models.
The 2nd generation of 2014 had very little aesthetic upgrades but went on a diet, losing some 50 kg. Very slight adjustments were made to the dimensions, although its footprint grew and height shrunk slightly.
Powertrain
Being such a stylish car, there are plenty of petrol options to give it some pace. The entry-level 1.4 TFSI produces an impressive 150 horsepower and 250 Nm, but thanks to its cylinder-on-demand technology it's able to reach 55 mpg (give or take) in both the 6-speed manual and 7-speed S tronic automatic models.
The top-of-the-range variant combines the 180 hp and 280 Nm of the 1.8 TFSI engine with quattro all-wheel-drive in order to give it a 0-62 mph time of 7.6 seconds. It will struggle to reach 40 mpg though. It's only available with a 6-speed S tronic automatic transmission.
But welcome to the 21st century where diesel power is our favoured fuel, in the name of economy and efficiency. Kicking off the range is a 1.6 TDI - 110 hp and 250 Nm, yet nearly 70 mpg.
The 2.0-litre TDI comes in many forms, producing 150 and 184 hp combined with 240 and 380 Nm. All get to 62 mph in less than 9 seconds and will do 55-65 mpg.
There are no cars that emit less than 100 g/km of CO2, so no tax-free motoring here!
My pick of the bunch would be the 150 hp variant of the 2.0 TDI as it has adequate power for overtaking but is a sensible cruiser and economy figures are admirable.
There's even a hot S3 Cabriolet with 300 hp and 380 Nm coming from a 2.0 TFSI. Power is driven through a quattro system and 62 mph is reached in a respectable 5.4 seconds. It goes on to 155 mph but still claims to achieve near 40 mpg, although 30 mpg is a more realistic figure.
In-Cabin Experience
Being part of the A3 family, the dash is more or less lifted from the A3 hatchback which is no bad thing. The minimalist design and pop-up infotainment screen are highly desirable, but it's practical to use. I'm not a fan of the cruise control stalk - it's a bit awkward to reach below the wheel. The electronic handbrake and roof operation switch work well together and are within quick access.
There is a 320-litre boot which shrinks to 287 litres with the roof stored, but you can uncover 678 litres upon folding down the seats. The quattro models lose some boot space due to the complex mechanics that take up space around the rear wheels.
Equipment and Options
There are 3 trim lines plus a unique S3 model, but despite this all models are well-equipped. Every single model comes with an electronic parking brake with auto release function, alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch infotainment display, Bluetooth, DAB radio and air conditioning.
If you climb up the trim levels, you can enjoy features such as the sports suspension, front sports seats and dual-zone climate control of Sport, or the 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights and S bodystyling of the S line.
The S3 gets the mandatory aggressive styling, giant 19-inch alloys and Nappa leather upholstery.
There is a total of 11 alloy wheel designs from 16 to 19 inches, 6 inlay finishes, 16 body colours and 3 roof colours (black, grey and brown) although you can have literally any body colour you want for over £2,000.
The £690 Comfort package adds cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors and a wind deflector. You could alternatively change your headlights to xenon or LED for £1,100 or £1,850, although the Technology package for £1,495 makes more sense. It adds satellite navigation, a 7-inch display and a 10GB hard drive. The necessary Bang & Olufsen sound system is £750 and brings with it 13 speakers through a 5.1 output. Keyless entry and go comes in at £425 and is essential.
Safety
All cars come with an active roll-over prevention system, an electronically locking differential and an adaptive brake light which flashes under the circumstances of an emergency stop, with the hazards coming on at the end of the braking.
The A3 hatchback on which the Cabriolet is based achieved a full 5-star rating in its Euro NCAP testing.
Rivals
As we've already touched upon, the new BMW 2 Series Convertible is Audi's main cause for concern. It's just £200 more expensive and is much more appealing for drivers seeking rear-wheel-drive thrill. It's offered with 3 states of tune for the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit (218d, 220d and 225d) as well as 2 petrols, the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder 218i and the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 220i and 228i. There's even a 326 horsepower 3-litre straight-six M235i (which is 0.2 s faster than the S3 to 62 mph). It doesn't end there! Within the past week the 370 hp BMW M2 has been released! Could this mean an M2 Convertible any time soon?
Entering back into the accessible market, Volkswagen's Golf Cabriolet is almost £4,000 cheaper. Something a bit different, though, would be the Vauxhall Cascada which costs some £1,500 less.
My Car
If I were to buy an A3 Cabriolet, I wouldn't be able to help myself but go crazy on the options list! All I need now is £38k!
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