Sporty, elegant and compact - the new Audi A3 Cabriolet

Sporty, elegant and compact – the new Audi A3 Cabriolet

• Audi A3 Cabriolet completes the A3 family
• Elegant fabric hood and active roll-over protection system

Sporty, elegant and multi-faceted – Audi South Africa presents the new A3 Cabriolet. The compact four-seater impresses at first glance with its flowing lines and soft top. It is also at the top of its class technically – with systematic lightweight design, new engines and assistance systems.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet was first launched in South Africa in 2008 and has since sold 1,260 units. The previous generation of the Audi A3 was the first to include the Cabriolet bodyshape, which is now translated to the third generation of the Audi A3 range.

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet will come off the assembly line at Audi's plant in Győr, Hungary, which Audi has expanded with an investment of more than 900 million euros.

Drivetrain

The two well-known engines being offered in the Audi A3 Cabriolet at its launch all emphasize the car's sporty character. There will be two TFSI engines available in South Africa, namely the 1.4T FSI (92 kW) and the 1.8T FSI (132 kW), the same range of engines available in other Audi A3 models. All engines in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet combine the technologies of direct injection, turbocharging and a start-stop-system. Both TFSI engines will be available in manual and S tronic.

On average, the two engines offered at market launch have twelve percent better fuel economy than the engines in the previous model – and they do so while improving driving performance. The 1.4 TFSI, for example, accelerates the new Audi A3 Cabriolet from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds, yet its combined fuel consumption value is 5.3 litres per 100 kilometers, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 124 g/km.

The A3 Cabriolet 1.8T FSI will accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds with a corresponding combined fuel consumption of 5.8 litres per 100 km.

The ESC stabilization control system integrates an electronic limited slip differential – this makes handling even smoother and safer at the vehicle’s cornering limits while driving fast through curves.

High-end features in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet include the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system (standard on SE models). The driver can use this system to modify engine management, power steering, S tronic and air conditioning operation over several modes.

Exterior design

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet has grown compared to the previous model due to the fact that it is based on the Audi A3 Sedan. Its length has increased from 4.24 to 4.42 metres, its wheelbase from 2.58 to 2.60 metres and its width from 1.77 to 1.79 metres. Only its height (1.41 metres) was reduced by 15 millimetres, giving the four-seat convertible a more elegant and sporty exterior appearance. Luggage capacity has increased by 60 litres to a total 320 litres with improved loadability.

The front of the Audi A3 Cabriolet is characterized by the Audi trademark singleframe grille and a more pronounced bonnet. Audi offers full LED headlights as an optional extra, the only manufacturer to offer these in the premium compact segment.

The rear overhang plays a key role in the harmonious proportions of the two-door car. The windshield frame is made of aluminium – and an aluminium trim runs around the entire car. On the flanks, the design features a taut tornado line and contoured sheet metal surfaces that create a fascinating interplay of light and shadow.

The soft top

The new A3 Cabriolet has a soft cloth top that is stretched over a lightweight kinematic mechanism made of magnesium-steel which complements the car's design perfectly. At the press of a button, the top opens electro-hydraulically in 17 seconds while driving up to 50 km/h. The roof can be closed in just 18 seconds. In the opened state, the top – folded into three layers – rests in a tray that barely affects luggage capacity.

The fully automatic acoustic soft top has a glass rear window and has a thicker inner foam layer which further reduces the already low interior noise level of the A3 Cabriolet. The top is available in three exterior colours namely black, grey and brown, with its roofliner is available in black and lunar silver and a wind deflector as standard on all A3 Cabriolet models. An active rollover protection system protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident. It consists of two spring-loaded plates that are recessed into the body.

Body

The Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4T FSI weighs just 1,345 kilograms – 50 kilograms lighter than the previous model despite its larger size and better comfort. Including its special reinforcements, which deliver high torsional stiffness, the body weighs 30 kilograms less than previously due to the engine hood which is made of aluminium. Weight was also significantly reduced in the interior and in the engines. This allows Audi – a pioneer in this technical field – to set an impressive best value in the compact class. Customers can choose from 13 different exterior paints for the body.

Interior

Elegantly drawn lines and clean surfaces also characterize the interior design of the new Audi A3 Cabriolet. The instrument panel is lean and low, its front is slightly curved, and the centre console is angled towards the driver. The large, round air vents in jet design, the control panel for the air conditioner and the three-dimensional trim strips bring elegance into the interior.

As in every Audi, workmanship quality is uncompromisingly high, and the car's controls are simple, intuitive and convenient. It offers enough space for four adults, and the seatbacks of the two rear seats can be folded down which opens up a wide through-load area.

Assistance systems

Driving in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet is even more impressive with its highly developed assistance systems. The driver information system with efficiency program and attention assist are already standard features across the range, with Audi drive select a standard feature on SE models. The options program includes adaptive cruise control, park assist with selective display and various feature levels of the Audi pre-sense safety system.

Also extremely attractive is the line-up of infotainment components; at the very top are the Bang & Olufsen sound system and MMI Navigation plus. The super-slender seven-inch monitor extends from the instrument panel electronically. The user terminal has a rotary/push button control that is designed as a touchwheel with MMI touch – the touchwheel’s top surface is a touch-sensitive pad for inputting alpha and numeric characters.

Specification

The Audi A3 Cabriolet will be available with the following standard equipment:

S models:

• Fully electrically operated roof with acoustic hood that can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h
• 16” 10-spoke design cast aluminium alloy wheels
• MMI Radio with full colour, slide-out LCD screen
• LED Interior lighting package
• Exterior aluminium package
• Front centre armrest
• Leather covered multi function steering wheel, 4-spoke
• Light / Rain sensor
• Driver information system, monochrome
• Bluetooth with voice control and audio streaming
• Knee airbag

SE models: (additional standard items above S specification)

• 17” 5-arm design cast aluminium alloy wheels
• Sports suspension
• Sports seats
• Front fog lights
• Audi Drive Select with Efficiency programme
• Leather covered multifunction sports steering wheel, 3-spoke
• Fully automated, dual zone air-conditioning
• Driver Information system in colour
• Audi Sound System

Pricing

The Audi A3 Cabriolet will be available at the following pricing, including the standard
5-year/100 00km Audi Freeway Plan, available to extend to 7 years/200 000km:

• Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4T FSI S manual: R 419,500
• Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4T FSI S S tronic: R 436,500
• Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8T FSI  SE manual: R 448,000
• Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8T FSI SE S tronic: R 465,000

Completing the range in the fourth quarter of 2014 will be the Audi S3 Cabriolet, which will feature the same 2.0T FSI engine available in its S3 siblings. Further information on this model will be available closer to introduction.