Audi A3 Cabriolet

I loved it from the very first moment that I saw it and that is why I chose it as my “Star of the Show” in March 2008, on my return from the Geneva Motor Show. Of course the fact that it was bright red, had a contrasting light grey upholstery and polished alloy wheels, all worked in its favour. I even asked the young lady on the stand, to arrange for it to be parcelled up and sent to me for Christmas, after they rectified the one glaring mistake - it had the steering wheel on the wrong side ! Unfortunately she had already arranged for Santa Claus to deliver it to her on Christmas Day and was happy to accept it even with the steering wheel in the wrong place.
However, my Guardian Angel was obviously looking after me and Audi here in Ireland kindly loaned me their A3 Cabriolet for a road test over the Christmas period. It was not bright red, it did not have polished alloy wheels, or light grey upholstery, but by way of compensation it had red leather upholstery and a red folding top. Like my Star of the Show, it was fitted with the 1.8 turbocharged petrol engine, driving a six speed manual gearbox and most important of all, it had the steering wheel on the RIGHT side !

I loved it from the first moment that I drove it ! I am of the firm opinion that there is no point in having a convertible, if you intend to drive it with the roof erected - unless of course it is lashing rain. The premium folding fabric top on the A3 goes down at the touch of a switch in just ten seconds. It raises again in twelve seconds, by pressing the switch in the opposite direction. You do, however, have to keep your finger on the switch for the entire operation. To offset this small inconvenience, the roof can be lowered underway, provided speed it limited to 30 kph (20 mph). It folds up neatly in a Z-fashion, so no tonneau cover is needed.
In daylight hours I drove it whenever possible with the top down. Outside air temperatures varied from 2.5 degrees centigrade to around 10 degrees centigrade, but mostly they were in the region of 4 to 6 degrees centigrade. In these conditions I drove both with the windows up and the windows lowered. It is one sure way to test the effectiveness of the heater. Let me say right off, I have no complaints on that score. I wear a cap and a wind and waterproof jacket, to keep my upper regions warm and comfortable. The car’s heater is expected to keep my lower regions comfortable. An intelligent heater is fitted, as when you lower the top it automatically selects the last temperature settings you had when the top was down. Raise the top and it immediately readjusts to the last settings you had when the top was up. Top up or top down I enjoyed very minute of my A3 Cabriolet driving experience !

In my view, unlike their two seater roadster sisters, four seater convertibles are not intended to be out and out sports cars, rather they are intended to be very satisfying touring cars, with an adequate level of performance. I cannot imagine anyone being less than satisfied with the performance offered by this Audi A3 convertible. In terms of velocity it has a potential top speed of 218 kph (135 mph), which is comfortably above the overall speed limit in most European countries. Its 0-100 kph acceleration is 8.3 seconds, which again is highly satisfactory. To put this into context the Mazda MX5, with a naturally aspirated 1.8 litre engine, requires 9.4 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz SLK, which has a 1.8 litre supercharged engine also takes 8.3 seconds, but then it is not really a premium roadster, as it has a folding hardtop ! Audi’s own TT roadster, takes 6.7 seconds, but that is with a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine. Nissan’s 350Z takes just 6.4 seconds, but it has an engine almost twice the size with a 3.5 litre V6. As far as I am concerned the A3 1.8T has an exhilarating performance, that is smooth, quiet and totally effortless.
There are other aspects to performance, like fuel consumption. On the urban cycle the A3 convertible delivers 28 mpg (10.0 lt/100 km), which escalates to 49 mpg (5.7 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle. This gives a combined cycle average of 39 mpg (7.3 lt/100 km). Performance plus fuel economy, is there any wonder I have been going around with a broad and permanent grin on my face ! These figures are about the same as those recorded by the slower Mazda MX5, better than those of the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Audi TT roadster and much better than those recorded by the Nissan 350Z roadster. Thus, this four seater Audi A3 convertible, or cabriolet if you prefer, can match the performance of respected sports roadsters and at the same time offer additional seating space for four people. When driving it almost feels like a roadster, so in my book, it is an excellent all rounder.
Normal luggage space is small, marginally bigger than that offered by its TT sister and the BMW Z4, but almost twice the size of that offered by cars like the MX5 or 350Z and, you can fold those rear seat backs flat to vastly increase the space available.

Driving this car is pure pleasure all the way. The instrument panel is beautifully laid out for ease of use whilst driving. Both the tachometer and the speedometer have large round black faces, with while lettering and red needles. The tachometer has red lettering above 6,000 rpm, to warn you, that you are pushing the engine too hard. The smaller matching engine temperature and fuel level gauges, are likewise easy to see at a glance. Both the tachometer and speedometer have small digital information displays in the six o’clock position. Additionally there is a large rectangular digital information panel between the two large instruments. This panel includes information such as your average fuel consumption at the time, a gear selected indicator with a suggested gear for the time, doors or boot open, outside air temperature and lots more. It also includes a clock, although there is also a digital clock in the audio panel.
The audio system is at the top of the central console, immediately below the two ventilation outlets and there are additional audio controls on the steering wheel. The air conditioning controls are at the bottom of the central console, ahead of the gearlever. The air conditioning uses a dual mode operation, so driver and front passenger can select the temperatures they personally prefer.
There is a folding central armrest between the two front seats, that opens to provide a storage cradle for your mobile telephone, when connected to the Bluetooth. I found it got in the way of gear changing, so I kept it in its upright position, out of the way of my left arm. The space in the centre console, immediately below the armrest and behind the handbrake lever, has a covered sliding top. When opened it houses two cupholders. The gearchange itself is silky smooth and superbly positive. In my younger days, I have no doubt that I would have got tremendous pleasure from using it as road conditions and performance required. I still got satisfaction from using it, but in my advancing age, if given the choice, I have no doubt that I would have preferred the S-tronic linked to the dual clutch gearbox. Then if you feel energetic you can make the changes manually, or if you are too busy enjoying the comfortable surroundings you can let the gearbox get on with the job itself. Top speed remains the same with the S-tronic, 0-100 kph acceleration improves to 8.0 seconds, there is a tiny difference in the fuel consumption, which results in an increase in CO₂ emissions to 180 gm/km. Fortunately this does not alter your annual road tax bill.

The two front seats slide forwards to allow access to the two rear seats. These have divided backrests, so if you have long items of luggage you can carry one rear seat passenger and some long items like skis or fishing rods, or if only two are travelling you can carry a lot more. There is also a cover, which folds up and is stored in a bag in the boot, that allows the rear seats to be covered, so that luggage is not visible and incorporates a screen that may be used to eliminate back draughts, if you find this to be a problem, when the top is down. It may be left in place when the roof is erected, but it does hinder visibility through the internal rear view mirror.

Below left : Normal luggage space ------------------ Below right : Maximum luggage space

Test driving took place in Dublin city and suburbs, Fingal County, Meath and Kildare, so it covered barely adequate road surfaces for a civilised society to the truly pathetic. The A3 uses simple MacPherson struts up front, with a multi-link design at the rear.
It gave a good quality ride, with good roadholding, in spite of the poor quality road surfaces. The steering was light yet positive, with a good feel and 3.0 turns from lock to lock. Unlike its TT roadster sister, the A3 convertible has a proper round steering wheel, which makes it far more comfortable to use. The leather covered wheel also has an excellent feel, which all contributes to that absolutely wonderful driving experience.
The servo assisted braking system incorporates an electronic stability programme, with traction control and an electronic differential lock. It has anti-lock and emergency brake assist. There are ventilated discs at the front and plain discs at the back.
A Spacesaver spare wheel is tucked away below the boot floor. While it is far more useful than a can of latex and an electric, plug-in compressor, it is at the very best a poor emergency measure. While it may be acceptable in local urban driving, it is not very practical for touring of any kind. I know it saves weight and takes up less space, but it does not give that serenity and peace of mind you need to enjoy your touring to the maximum. Having been almost stranded twice, when abroad, I have very strong feelings on the question of proper spare wheels.

Like most four seater convertibles, the two rear seats have very upright backrests. They have a fair degree of knee and legroom, but shoulder room is tight, especially on the outer sides, as the roof frame takes up a fair bit of space. They are sufficiently comfortable and practical for short distances and local commuting, however, for touring in luxury and comfort, the A3 convertible is best suited to just two adults and their holiday luggage. Getting in and out of those two rear seats, especially when the roof is up, is better suited to agile young people, but of course when the roof is down you simply walk in, turn around and sit down, or stand up and step out. What more can I say, other than “I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF DRIVING IT !!”

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