2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36
A noble ambience and a sporty open-air feeling has its price in the Audi A3 Cabrio. But if you have a little more money available than for a VW Golf Cabrio, you can fall back on the technically related open compact from Ingolstadt.
Holger Holzer's
fabric roof convertibles have recently been difficult to find in the compact class. It was not until 2009 that the Audi A3 came out again as an alternative to the weatherproof, but unattractive, folding steel roof. Meanwhile, the chic Ingolstadt but new competition in the form of the technically related VW Golf Cabriolet has to fight off. He does this with a noble ambience and a sporty open-air feeling. However, that has its price.
Harmonious appearance of the Audi A3 convertible
Open or closed: the A3 Convertible always looks harmonious. Only the roll bars behind the rear seats cloud the picture a little. Retractable specimens like the new Golf Cabrio would have looked better to the noble offshoot.
But that doesn't detract from the open-air experience. The short windshield protrudes only a little into the passenger compartment and thus provides the typical convertible draft on the four seats. In colder weather, the side windows, wind deflector (280 euros) and seat heating (from 330 euros) can be used to ensure a gentle climate.
Acoustic hood for Audi A3 convertible is recommended
Unfortunately, it is no coincidence that the last two-mentioned convertible-typical equipment costs extra. In the basic version, the Audi is relatively naked. Those who shy away from the additional payment have to make do with the standard convertible top. Firstly, it is less well insulated and secondly, it has to be unlocked by hand.
The fully automatic acoustic top for 750 euros is more convenient. In just ten seconds it lets the sun in at the push of a button - even while driving up to a speed of 30. When closed, it keeps out the cold and traffic noise quite effectively.
Depth makes loading the Audi A3 Cabrio difficult
Convertibles are primarily fun cars, but the Audi can also convince in everyday life. At least in the front seats, the space is very good. At the back there is plenty of space for two medium-sized adults, but the entrance is quite narrow and the closed roof turns the rear into a dark cave. On longer journeys, only luggage feels really comfortable here.
At 260 liters, the trunk is not much smaller in the basic configuration than a normal A3, but the narrow opening and the depth of the compartment make loading difficult. By folding down the rear seat, the luggage space grows to 674 liters, an annoying edge remains in the loading floor. The bottom line is that the Audi can convince in this discipline - especially in comparison with the impractical tin roof convertibles.
Large selection of engines for the Audi A3 Cabrio
The suitability for everyday use is just an add-on. The Audi has to prove itself especially when driving in the open air on country roads. And that's where the Audi cuts a fine figure. Good traction and safe driving behavior even in tight bends make the front-wheel drive compact. Despite a tight basic set-up of the sports suspension (from the second highest equipment line, Ambition), comfort is also okay, only rough bumps reach the occupants directly and uncomfortably.
The open-top Audi offers a wide range of drive systems. In addition to two diesels, there is a choice of four petrol engines. The test car was equipped with the 92 kW / 125 PS 1.4 liter TSI - the second smallest engine on offer. The turbocharged four-cylinder is extremely cultivated and only works a bit rough in the lower speed range. In city traffic and on country roads it does quite well, on the motorway it runs out of air at more than 100 km / h. The fact that fast travel is not really his thing is also shown by the rather high fuel consumption of nine liters. At a moderate pace with country roads and urban areas, 7.5 liters are also possible.
VW Golf Cabrio remains an alternative
The A3 convertible costs at least 26,900 euros with this engine version. But it will hardly stay that way, since small things also cost extra. In addition to the better convertible top, air conditioning, metallic paint, cruise control and parking assistants have an extra impact. This means that the acquisition costs can easily be raised to over 40,000 euros.
For comparison: the technically closely related VW Golf Cabrio is available with a more powerful engine (118 kW / 160 PS) and significantly better equipment for 26,075 euros. So if you can do without the brand prestige of the noble daughter, you get significantly more for your money from the parent company. And in terms of ambience and workmanship, the Golf no longer needs to hide from the A3.
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