One look at this car, and you know it’s an Audi A3. There’s no mistaking it for anything else, not even any other Audi, thanks to its compact dimensions. Cosmetically, most of the cabriolet is the same as the sedan, albeit a few obvious differences; which are the fabric roof and the two missing doors. The frame for the windscreen is now finished in brushed silver, and it looks great with the roof folded away.
There are four seats in the cabin, but let’s call it a 2+2 rather than a four-seater, because the two rear seats are narrow and only useable if the front seats are set a fair bit forward, and even then it’s a squeeze. That said, the front half of the cabin is pretty much identical to a top-spec A3 sedan. It’s upholstered in the sportier black leather trim, fit and finish are top notch, and it’s loaded up with equipment, including dual-zone climate control, a touchpad for the MMI system, and the optional Bang & Olufsen audio and satellite navigation on our test car. One thing that is missing, however, are powered front seats, which is a glaring omission on such an expensive car.
The other big problem with convertibles is, of course, that the boot space is compromised by the folding roof. That’s the case here too, but considering how compact this car is, 320 litres of storage is not too bad. And though the load area is not very tall, it is just as wide and long as in the sedan, so while large suitcases will be a problem, you can easily get a few soft bags in there without issue.
Step into the driver’s seat and one quirk typical of most four-seat convertibles strikes you immediately – the top of the windscreen is lower and stretched further back than in the sedan, and while it doesn’t block your view, it does fall into your field of vision; something taller drivers will need to get used to. This is done, of course, to reduce the area the folding roof has to cover. Speaking of which, with the roof up, headroom all round is a bit tight, and the cabin feels a bit too ‘cozy’. But then, we are talking about a compact convertible here, and this is a small sacrifice to make for being surrounded by limitless sky with the roof folded away.
There will be no diesel version of the Audi A3 Cabriolet. The only motor it comes with is the 1.8 TFSI turbo-petrol engine, which sends its 177bhp and 25.5kgm through the front wheels via a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. That’s fine by us, as this powertrain is what cemented the A3 sedan as one of our favourite cars to drive in 2014; the diesel version just isn’t as much fun. As ever, the 1.8 TFSI is super smooth and refined, spins quite freely and builds its power in a beautifully linear surge. There are, however, three differences to the driving experience compared to the sedan. For one, you can option a sports steering wheel on the A3 Cabriolet that comes with paddles for shifting gears manually, rather than just using the gearlever as you have to in the sedan. Secondly, the soft-top gets as standard Audi’s Drive Select driving modes – Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual – that alter the powertrain responsiveness as well as steering weight. And finally, with the roof folded, you can hear more of the otherwise silent motor when you open it up a bit, which only adds to the thrill. It makes a pleasing purr at high revs, and in Dynamic mode, delivers a subtle ‘whump’ from the exhaust with every upshift. Lovely.
Another concern with convertibles is that, in removing the roof, the car often loses a lot of its chassis rigidity, which in turn compromises handling and just the overall feeling of solidity. Yes, go over a steep bump and you might be able to sense a slight shudder through the body, but it’s barely there. Put it down to the car’s compact dimensions or just the integral rigidity of the new MQB-platform chassis the A3 is built on, which makes for a nice, taut bodyshell. Where it really matters, though, is in the handling, and we’re happy to report that almost none of the dynamic prowess of the A3 sedan has been lost with the roof cut off. It still darts into corners eagerly, there’s plenty of front-end grip and it just feels light and compact at your fingertips. In fact, the sensation is only amplified with the roof off and the wind in your hair. Find yourself some nice weather and a good road, and you won’t be disappointed.
Because it fully imported, it is on the expensive side. It costs Rs 44.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), or Rs 12 lakh more than the most expensive locally assembled A3 sedan. Technically, that amount of money for a car with reduced practicality seems insensible. But then, that’s missing the point. This is a car that is a fashion statement, offers roofless motoring and is also fun to drive. With all the other convertibles on sale in India priced north of Rs 70 lakh, the only car that comes close to being competition for the A3 Cabriolet right now is the cheaper but even less practical Mini Cooper Convertible. Hence, the soft-top A3 is the most practical option for a convertible today.
