Short test: Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI Ambition
And what is driving pleasure anyway? A sporty chassis for high cornering speed? Powerful engine? The sound that makes your hair stand on end? Of course, this is really a combination of all of the above (and not only), it depends entirely on the driver. For some, the sporty sound of the engine is enough for pleasure, while others desperately need wind in their hair.
As for the new Audi A3 Cabriolet, we could write that this is a kind of ticket to the world of driving pleasure and car windshield, of course with premium brands. The novelty was created on the same platform as the classic Audi A3, but, as befits these cases, the body structure has been redesigned almost in a new way, of course, so that the A3 Cabriolet does not sag on a vegan road and in corners, as if made of rubber . More than half of the body is made of special, stronger steel, mainly the windshield frame, sills, the bottom of the car and the frame between the passenger compartment and the trunk. The boosters are also located under the bottom of the car (and take care of the reinforced mounting of the auxiliary frames that carry the front and rear suspensions). End result: Although there is a bit of judder here and there, which suggests that the body rigidity of a convertible can't be as effective as a car with a roof (with rare exceptions, but with good six-seater prices). The A3 Cabriolet may be the epitome of body rigidity - although it is significantly (about 60 kilograms) lighter than its predecessor.
In practice, this means that the optional sports chassis of the test A3 Cabriolet can do its job as it should. It's not that hard, so this A3 Cabriolet is capable of a pleasant cruise even on rough roads, but it is strong enough that the car does not lean too much when cornering, and also gives more demanding drivers a sense of reliability. The sports chassis surcharge is often not recommended for casual drivers as it can be too difficult for day-to-day use, but it isn't. The choice is good.
Sporty (and optional) were also the leather and Alcantara front seats – and here, too, it should be noted that this is an excellent choice. The price of the A3 Cabriolet test drive has risen to 32.490 euros for just under 40 thousand.
There are many drawbacks, but in fact there are only two drawbacks: for this money, the air conditioner is still manual and you need to pay extra (almost 400 euros) for wind protection,
which is installed above the rear seats.
Well, the wind protection turned out to be excellent, so good that on hot days it is sometimes unnecessary to go slower, as there is not enough wind in the cabin to keep the driver and navigator cool enough and the air conditioning is always too weak. lower the operating levels of the fan.
The soft roof, which weighs only 50 kilograms, folds into a K shape, and its front is also a cover that merges with the shape of the car. Folding (electrically and hydraulically, of course) takes only 18 seconds, and changes are possible at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour, which means you won't feel awkward in front of the traffic lights in the middle. fold or stretch the roof. lit the green light. Although the roof is fabric, the soundproofing is excellent. The optional five-layer soft top version works great at highway speeds, the A3 Cabriolet only has a decibel more noise than the classic A3. Much of the credit goes to the interior roof cladding made of foam and thicker fabric, but this roof is about 30 percent heavier than a conventional three-layer roof. Slightly less than 300 euros, as much as you need for such a roof, deduct, you will not regret it.
The rest of the interior is, of course, very similar to the classic A3. This means a good fit, great ergonomics and ample front space. There is an emergency convertible at the rear (thanks to the mechanism and space for the roof), and the trunk also holds two "aircraft"-sized suitcases and several softer bags and briefcases even with the roof open. At first glance, it seems smaller than it actually is, but if you temporarily stop folding the roof, you can, of course, enlarge it even more.
The 1,4-liter, 125 horsepower (92 kW) four-cylinder engine is the A3 Cabriolet's base petrol engine and does the job quite satisfactorily. With this, of course, the A3 Cabriolet is not an athlete, but it is more than fast enough (also due to the sufficient flexibility of the engine), so there is nothing to complain about, especially when you look at the consumption: only 5,5 liters by our standard. lap (for all time, even on the track, open roof) and a test consumption of 7,5 liters - this is a good result. Yes, with a diesel engine it would be more economical, but also much less powerful (with the 110 TDI with 1.6 horsepower or much more expensive with the 2.0 TDI). No, this 1.4 TFSI is a great choice, if 125 hp isn't enough for you, look for the 150 hp version.
Text: Dusan Lukic
Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI Ambition
Basic data
| Sales: | Porsche Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | € 39.733 XNUMX € |
| Test model cost: | € 35.760 XNUMX € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 92kW (125 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 11,1 with |
| Maximum speed: | 211 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 5,3l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder – 4-stroke – in-line – turbocharged petrol – transverse front mounted – displacement 1.395 cm3 – maximum power 92 kW (125 hp) at 5.000 rpm – maximum torque 200 Nm at 1.400- 4.000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 225/45 / R17 V (Dunlop Sport Maxx). |
| Capacity: | top speed 211 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 10,2 - fuel consumption (ECE) 6,7 / 4,5 / 5,3 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 124 g / km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | convertible - 3 doors, 4 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspension, leaf springs, three-spoke cross rails, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc 10,7 - rear, 50 m - fuel tank 1.345 l. Weight: unladen 1.845 kg – permissible gross weight XNUMX kg. |
We praise and reproach
form
seat
driving position
roof
windshield protection
no automatic air conditioner
no speed limiter
