Audi A3 Cabrio

A BMW 120i convertible (170 hp and € 33,867) is more expensive than a A3 Cabrio 1.8 TFSI (160 hp and 32,030 €). An A3 Cabrio 2.0 TFSI 200 hp S tronic costs € 37,920, a price very similar to a Volkswagen Eos with the same engine and changing gears. An Audi TT roadster, with the same combination mechanics, € 41,770.
The roof of canvas A3 Cabrio may be of two kinds. The core requires the intervention of the driver to engage or disengage the windshield and has two layers. The second has an additional insulation (between the inner and outer layer, there is a third of 6 mm in thickness, which improves sound insulation and thermal) and its operation is fully automatic. This ceiling is € 915 and is optional for all versions.
We tested the fully automatic version with hood. The feeling that gave us the A3 with this is that it provides a roof insulation similar to that which gives a convertible with folding hard roof, for example, a Volkswagen Eos. We have not tested the hood that has serial, but it may be advisable to opt for more expensive especially if they are going to use your car all year and will make many kilometres.

Audi A3 Cabrio

One advantage is that the A3 Cabrio descapotables with respect to the folding metal roof, you need less time to save or deploy the roof. The A3 needs only to save the 9 s in the trunk, to place on the body takes about 13 s. It any event, there is very little time and the operation can be done up to 30 km / h. The soft top folds in the form of Z, is housed between the rear seats and luggage compartment. There is a rigid piece that covers the hood when it is folded, so that is not from outside.
An interesting feature of A3 Cabrio is that the volume of the trunk is the same roof is folded or on the body. The trunk has 260 l, which is not much, but the driver does not have to worry about changing the distribution of luggage when the low ceiling: an important part of descapotables, the volume of its trunk and proportions change much when it hosts the ceiling within it. This is in a special way in which they have a retractable roof, because he usually occupy more than one site canvas. In a BMW 1 Series, which has tarpaulin roof, there is little difference in volume of trunk depending on the position of the roof: it has between 240 l and 280 l.
The endorsement of the rear seats of A3 Cabrio is divided into two portions and can reduce any of the halves, although for reasons of rigidity, when Abate seats leaving the gap is not as large as usual in a car with bodywork closed (picture).
With the A3 convertible can go up descapotado just over 120 mph allowing a conversation without raising much voice among the occupants of the front seats. Nor are felt especially troublesome air currents in the head or body (always in the front seats), although people may need a very high cap to limit the scourge of wind on the forehead.
As in all descapotables seems to us essential to use the aerodynamic deflector (at least for road travel): there is much difference between carry and no. This item comes in versions’ Ambition ‘and the rest is optional. It can be folded into four parts and keep in the trunk when not in use.
From the standpoint of the windbreak, A3 Cabrio is much more effective than, for example, a Mazda MX5. But it does not seem a reason to elect him in front of cars as the Volkswagen Eos.
2008 Audi A3 Cabrio

 
The range of engines available is interesting. It is composed of two petrol engines turbo (T FSI) of 160 and 200 hp, and two Diesel (1.9 l TDI of 105 hp and 140 hp, 2.0 TDI). The diesel version has a 140 hp engine which has recently released the A4 (and also bears the Tiguan), with direct injection through common.
The A3 convertible 105 hp diesel has a manual gearbox five speeds, while the petrol version has a 160 hp six. The 200-hp convertible is linked to an automatic change of double clutch (Stronic ") which gives an excellent result. The diesel version of 140 hp can elegrise both with manual with automatic ‘Stronic "(both six speeds).
The A3 convertible with petrol engines of 1.8 T FSI (160) and 2.0 T FSI (200 hp), gives a very good result, especially for benefits. The difference in benefits for the 2.0 l is greater than the advantage of that consumption is 1.8 l. However, given the price difference that exists between the two is so great as to rule out the more powerful.
One point in favour of 2.0 litre of 200 hp is bound to the automatic shifter ‘Stronic’ six marches ( "DSG" in Volkswagen), which we like very much.
They also tested the 2.0 l TDI 140 hp. An interesting aspect of A3 Cabrio with this engine is that it has a smooth functioning of a higher than A3 2.0 TDI with bodywork closed (the latter still does not have the new diesel engine that Audi A3 Cabrio has premiered in the new A4; The Cabrio yes).

Audi A3 Cabrio

Taking into account that the price of A3 Cabrio 2.0 TDI is similar to the 1.8 T FSI, the reason for choosing the Diesel is having a lower cost per kilometer. The gasoline is more powerful and pleasant.
On the road the A3 Cabrio is not equivalent to an A3 three or five doors. The differences between them, beyond those which are given by the roof, which is in convertible feel more vibrations in the structure, especially when the firm is not in perfect condition.
This lack of strength can be seen in the movements of the windscreen regarding the safety of arches rear seats (in the mirror is an element that vibrates with respect to the other, this does not happen in a closed car). In a similar measure, this occurs in almost all descapotables, especially those stemming from a car with a body of tourism (an Audi TT roadster, which derives from a coupe, apparently has a more solid structure that the A3 Cabrio).
The A3 convertible measuring 4,283 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width and 1,424 mm in height. It is virtually the same width and height of an A3 Sportback and 69 mm longer. The headlights of the convertible, when they are xenon, has a daylight consisting of seven diodes on each.
Mechanically has many elements in common with the A3, although the structure is different for the most part. A convertible needs more strength in all parts surrounding what is left open when folding canopy, as well as other reinforcements (the example of the shoebox: it is much easier without cap twisted that it). Many of those who need reinforcements are made of steel with very high tensile strength; altogether 54% of the structure of A3 Cabrio is made with high strength steel.
As an element of protection in case of overturning carries a fixed bars placed at the rear of the body and the structure of the windshield frame is reinforced.
Audi A3 Cabrio Review

The suspension is basically like that of other A3, with differences in flexibility necessary elements of elastic, shock absorbers and hardness of the alignment of the wheels due to weight gain in the convertible. The version with equipment ‘Ambition’ has set a suspension of ’sports’ which lowers the body 15 mm.

Already on sale the new Audi A3, from 22,290 € gasoline and 125 hp. Prices of 2008 Audi A3 with bodywork three doors and prices’ Sportback ‘(5p). It is an updated model that Audi started selling in 2003.

The 2008 Audi A3 new model is changing the look of the interior and bodywork (more). Another interesting aspect is that the most powerful version of the range, the S3 265 hp, is available with bodywork ‘Sportback’ (five-door), more information. The bodywork ‘Sportback’ has a silhouette that three different doors, a rear seats wider and more trunk.
The Audi A3 has new developments of equipment, are a major parking system and an automatic suspension of variable hardness (these two elements are not available until July). There are also small mechanical differences: the A3 with petrol engines of 125 hp and 160 can carry a gearbox double clutch ‘S-Tronic’ ( ‘DSG’ in Volkswagen) seven marches (information technology). All A3 carrying this box of seven marches have a fuel consumption lower than the equivalent manual.

Audi A3
The new A3 consumes less fuel from the previous version. In part, consumption is lower because Audi has placed a fairing at the bottom of the body that reduces aerodynamic drag to progress.
The range consists of five petrol engines and three diesel. The gasoline, are a 1.4 TFSI of 125 hp, a 1.8 TFSI 160 hp, a 2.0 TFSI of 200 hp and a 3.2 V6 250 hp. The 2008 Audi A3 is no longer available with a gasoline engine of 102 hp.
Of the variants of petrol, from 125 hp is particularly interesting because they can spend little if it leads to softness or give a performance very fast (for power), if necessary. According to official data consumption, the A3 with this engine, bodywork three doors and automatic change ‘S Tronic’ 7 marches, tourism is its size that spends less (5.6 litres/100 km). If change takes manual consumption rises to 5.9 litres/100 km which is also a very good data (comparison chart).
The TFSI 160 hp also spends less with automatic change ‘S tronic’ seven marches that box with manual. In three bodywork gates, consumes 6.6 litres/100 km if it leads’ S tronic and 6.7 litres/100 km if it takes manual; consumption is very low (comparative table with other similar cars). The 2.0 TFSI 200-hp consumes the same with a change to another (both six marches), but in any case, is a low amount for a car of this type (comparison chart).

The alternatives to diesel engine is a 1.9 l TDI and 105-hp and two 2.0 l TDI with 140 hp and 170. The 1.9 TDI and the name ‘e’ refers to is a low-power version (spends only 4.5 litres/100 km, ie is exempt from registration tax).
The two variants with 2.0 l diesel engine are much higher than had the previous A3; now have a much smoother operation, progressive and enjoyable (with a different injection system, through common that the Volkswagen Group is expanding in all its diesel engines of 2.0 litre displacement).
The Audi A3 3.2 V6 has 250 hp traction total number. They also can take the 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI of 170 hp.
The suspension optional variable hardness through fluid electroviscoso (Audi Magnetic Ride “) has two programs running, one normal and one sport, that the driver can select by a button. This suspension is similar to that of the Audi TT.
The automatic parking system ( “Parking Assistant”) is similar to by the Volkswagen Touran and Passat CC. This online parking system has the characteristic that is able to determine the site for parking is sufficient, and if so, when the driver engages reverse, the system automatically moves the steering wheel in the direction needed. The driver only needs to accelerate and slow down.
Regarding the previous model in the new Audi A3 are kept almost all the qualities associated with the bodywork, with the interior and the dynamic response. The Audi A3 is one of those cars that, soon after starting to lead, it’s easy to feel comfortable with their commanders.
The front seats have qualities that make them satisfactory to people of different sizes. We have liked the sports seats (standard on versions “Ambition”). They are comfortable and give a subject rather than correct side without hampering the occupants of the front seats access or exit the vehicle.