The Audi A3 Cabriolet was launched on to the international market earlier this year, and has just been released locally. The local line-up is made up of the 1,8-litre TFS, and the 2,0-litre TFSI in manual and S tronic models.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet will roll off the production line with a choice of two TFSI engines. The 1,8-litre TFSI has a claimed output of 118 kW and 250 Nm of torque that is available between 1 500 to 4 200 r/min. Mated with a six-speed manual transmission, the A3 cabrio accelerates to 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed time of 8,3 seconds and can carry on until it reaches a top speed pf 218 km/h.

The 2,0-litre TFSI, which was voted “Engine of the Year” three times in a row, delivers an estimated 147 kW at 5 100 r/min and 280 N.m torque. With either the S tronic dual-clutch transmission or the standard six-speed manual transmission, the A3 Cabriolet accelerates to 100 km/h in a claimed time of 7,3 seconds, and has a top speed of 231 km/h.

Measuring in at 4 238 mm long, the Cabriolet is just shorter than the A3 Sportback and a little longer than the three-door hatchback A3. At 1 424 mm high, it's just slighty taller than the rest of its A3 siblings, while the 1 765 mm width remains true to the PQ35's proportions. Audi used high strength, ultra-high-strength and an additional aluminium frame in construction of the A3 Cabriolet – which, in turn, results in weight saving.

The exterior styling is characterised by a large single-frame grille that dominates the front-end, while high-tech H7 or optional xenon headlamps with daytime running lights contrast the black finish of the grille and openings in which the front fog lamps are located.

South Africa receives the “Ambition” line that equips the cabrio with 17-inch wheels. All windows roll down so as not to interfere with the smooth lines when the top is down.

The Audi convertible top comes in two versions: a semi-automatic soft top and fully automatic, three-layered acoustic top. The semi-automatic has a handle for locking and unlocking while in the automatic; an electric motor performs this task. Both tops are equipped with a high-pressure pump and two hydraulic master cylinders that open and close the cloth. This happens in nine seconds and eleven seconds respectively. The acoustic top can be opened and closed while driving up to 30 km/h.

The soft-top folds in a Z-shape and stores in a compact metal compartment, thus it takes up very little space in the boot. The fully automatic top has a mat 6 mm thick between the inner and outer lining – this improves thermal insulation and soundproofing. A wind deflector is also standard in the Ambition line.

Inside the cabin, red needles sweep over the instrument dials in sporty black. A leather sports steering wheel with a three-spoke design is standard and includes shift paddles for S-tronic models. As an optional extra, A3 Cabrio buyers can opt for a Navigation System Plus that reads data from a DVD and displays it on a large 6,5-inch colour monitor.

Minimum boot space is 260 dm3 – whether or not the top is open or closed, but due to both rear seats featuring a 50:50 split, this can be extended to 674 dm3. Comfort features include electrically heated and foldable exterior mirrors, light and rain sensitive sensors, automatic air conditioning, and cruise control.

A height adjustable driver' sports seat and front passenger sport seat are standard. An electric four-way lumbar support can also be ordered, as well as heating for the front seats or even for all four seats. The standard seat is covered with fabric in the 1,8 TFSI, but leather is available as an option. Two types of leather as well as a leather/Alcantara combination are available instead of fabric.

The 1,8 TFSI offers micrometallic silver inlays while the 2,0 TFSI is fitted with aluminium inlays. Door sill trims with aluminum inlays are additional features.

The A3 Cabriolet comes with a sports suspension that lowers the body by 15 mm, power steering with speed-dependent control, and ventilated disc brakes supplemented by ESP and hill-start assist function.

This drop top is equipped with a host of safety features. Sensors that respond to changes in the air pressure activate the head-thorax side airbags that are integrated into the backs of the front seats. Audi claims that the full-size airbags receive their signals from the early responding sensors in the front of the car.

Four three-point belts – the front ones with tighteners and seat-belt load limiters – round out the package of occupant restraint systems. For the tots, Audi has included Isofix child seat mountings for the back seats as part of the standard specification. Front Isofix mountings can optionally be supplied along with a front passenger airbag that can be deactivated.

If this package is not enough, there is an S Line package available for extra bells and whistles. The S line is divided up into an exterior package for the body and a sports package. The S line exterior package includes a specially designed apron with distinctive contours as well as newly shaped air intakes with a grill design. An S line logo is located behind the front wheel housings, and the doorsill trims are individually shaped.

In the S line sports package, the interior comes in black with silver or black seams. The leather steering wheel, the decorative inlays in brushed aluminum the door sill trims, the seat upholstery, the gearshift/selector lever and the floor mats have special designs. Logos for the body, and dynamically designed wheels complete this package.

Prices:

1,8 TFSI manual Ambition R303 500

1,8 TFSI S tronic Ambition R319 500

2,0 TFSI manual Ambition R342 500

2,0 TFSI S tronic Ambition R358 500

Original article from Car