New Audi A3 2.0 Tfsi Sport 2Dr Petrol Cabriolet for Sale

Background

Can a relatively affordable compact convertible be genuinely, heart-stoppingly, aspirationally desirable? Audi thinks so and, in the form of this improved second generation A3 Cabriolet, has brought us an open-topped car that's very difficult not to like. All the Audi attributes you're used to - cool design, fantastic build quality, engine efficiency and strong residual values - are matched to sleek looks delivering that 'want one' factor. You can't really ask for much more from a compact convertible, but the Ingolstadt brand has delivered more anyway, adding in extra infotainment technology, an improved 4WD system and a more sophisticated 2.0-litre turbo petrol TFSI engine.
Driving Experience

Engine-wise, many will want to avoid the entry-level unit (a 110PS 1.6-litre TDI diesel) in favour of the two powerplants that make up the heart of the range. The most obvious choice is the one most buyers will probably make, the 150PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel. And, sure enough, it's a very impressive engine, with eager pulling power delivering the rest to 62mph sprint in 8.9s en route to a 139mph maximum that ought to be enough for anyone. Personally though, if we were buying this car, we'd take the other mainstream option, a 150PS version of the 1.5 TFSI petrol unit with clever CoD, or 'Cylinder on Demand' technology. It's almost as efficient as the diesel, significantly quieter (especially of course with the roof down) and just as quick (62mph from rest takes 8.9s en route to 137mph). We're not sure we'd really want to go much faster than that in this car, but Audi centres are ready and willing to oblige those with a further need for speed. Diesel folk prepared to special quattro 4WD and tronic auto transmission get a pokier 184PS version of the 2.0 TDI unit. While those preferring petrol have the further option of an all-new 190PS 2.0-litre TFSI powerplant, the engine you have to have if you're looking for a mainstream petrol-powered A3 Cabriolet with the option of quattro 4WD. This variant also gets a slicker 7-speed S tronic auto transmission set-up than diesel drivers can have and with this fitted, 62mph is just 7.3s away en route to 155mph. The same system is also an option on the ritziest version of this car you can buy, the potent S3 flagship model, which mates quattro 4WD to an uprated 310PS 2.0-litre TFSI turbo engine able to power you to 62mph in a fraction over 5s. Toupees will very definitely need to be firmly tied down.
Design and Build

Built on a modified version of the A3 Saloon's chassis, the A3 Cabriolet lost its somewhat dumpy, pram-like styling when re-launched in second generation form. Exterior changes to this revised version are slight but the front looks a little more purposeful, courtesy of sharper lines for the familiar and now broader Singleframe grille. The headlights are flatter, with distinctive outer contours and can now be ordered in Matrix LED form, so they are significantly brighter and constantly adapt themselves to avoid dazzling other road users, plus of course they never need to be dipped. Equally subtle changes at the rear aim to accentuate the width of this car - with the horizontal illuminated graphics of the rear lights and the separation edge above the redesigned diffuser. Inside, the 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument display used in the TT and other pricier Audis is now available in this one as an option. This displays the most important driving-relevant information in high resolution on a 12.3-inch diagonal TFT screen. The driver can switch between two views by pressing the "View" button on the multifunction steering wheel. In addition, the menu structure that works the centre dash MMI infotainment screen has been redesigned and is now more intuitive. As before, the soft fabric roof is stretched over a magnesium-steel 'skeleton'. The opens or closes electro-hydraulically in less than 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph. When retracted, the top - folded into three layers - rests in a tray that barely affects luggage capacity, which is 287-litres (10.14 cubic ft). There's a proper glass rear window and the roof can be specified in black, grey and brown - while the inner liner is available in black or lunar silver.

Market and Model

Why no folding metal hard top, especially when you're paying from around £28,000? The reason is because this car is better without one. The roof is beautifully engineered, so it's easy to appreciate what your money's been spent on. The fully automatic acoustic hood has a thicker inner foam layer which further reduces the already low interior noise level of the A3 Cabriolet. A wind deflector and head-level heating for the front seats are also available. An active rollover protection system consisting of two spring-loaded plates that are recessed into the body protects the occupants in case of a rollover accident. The key option with this improved model is the clever 'Virtual Cockpit' system replacing the conventional instrument dials with an eye-catching 12.3-inch TFT display. But of course, there's much else to select from. An 'MMI radio plus' set-up with an electrically extending 7-inch diagonal monitor is standard, while the 'MMI navigation' system is fitted from 'Sport' trim upwards. Go further and specify the 'MMI navigation plus with MMI touch in conjunction with the Audi connect' package (what a mouthful!) and you can have many online functions in your A3 at high speed via the super-fast LTE standard. They include, for example, navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View traffic information in real time, as well as practical information on parking, destinations, news or the weather. There's also a free 'Audi MMI connect' app that enables other services, such as online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. Mobile phones with iOS and Android operating systems can now be connected with the car via the standard Audi smartphone interface.

Cost of Ownership

The A3 Cabriolet's work on weight reduction is evident in the most unexpected places. The bonnet, for example, is all aluminium. The engines are impressively light, as are the seats and the dashboards. All of this has incremental effects on emissions and economy. All engines employ direct injection and turbocharging and are backed up by a start-stop-system. The 1.5 TFSI CoD variant gets 54.3mpg on the combined cycle on 16-inch wheels, with CO2 emissions of 118g/km. Audi's cylinder on demand (CoD) technology helps here, which deactivates two of the engine's cylinders when cruising. The latest 2.0-litre TFSI unit manages 47.9mpg on 17-inch wheels on the combined cycle - and 131g/km of CO2. Plus there's very little penalty for fitting the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission which offers a free-wheeling function that further improves fuel economy. The 1.6 TDI delivers 70.6mpg on the combined cycle on 16-inch wheels, with CO2 emissions of 108g/km. The 150PS 2.0 TDI meanwhile, delivers 67.3mpg and 110g/km. Residual values may well even improve on the old A3 Cabriolet's due to the later car's improved practicality and broader appeal.

Miles Per Gallon

Insurance Group

Performance (BHP)

Number Of Seats

CO2 (g/km)

Road Tax

Specification
Body Glass
Heated front windscreen
Heated rear window
Front and rear electric windows
Heated windscreen washer jets
Brakes
ABS/EBD
EDL
ASR
Electromechanical parking brake
ESC - Electronic Stability Control + traction control
Communication
Voice control system
Audi smartphone interface
Bluetooth interface
Driver Aids
Multi-Collision Braking
Driver Convenience
Automatic start/stop system
Driver Information
Service interval indicator
Colour driver's information system display
Fatigue detection system
Driving Mirrors
Body colour door mirrors with integral indicators
Electric operated/heated door mirrors
Auto dimming rear view mirror with light and rain sensors
Embellishment Trims
Aluminium trim elements
Aluminium air vent surrounds
Entertainment
DAB Digital radio
Audi music interface
2 USB ports
Exterior Body Features
Body colour bumpers
Chrome exhaust tailpipes
Twin exhaust tailpipe
Fully automatic acoustic hood
Aluminium side window trim
Sport specific side air inlet grille and diffuser insert
Roof spoiler
Exterior Lights
Automatic lights and wipers
LED daytime running lights
Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
Dual zone electronic climate control
Interior Features
Jack and tool kit
Illuminated glovebox
Storage compartments in doors
Adjustable front armrest
Height/reach adjustable steering column
Aluminium door sill trims
4 lashing points to secure luggage
Storage compartment in centre console
Packs
Light and rain sensor pack - A3 Cabriolet
Safety
Driver and passenger side airbags
Seatbelt warning
Automatic roll over protection
3 point seatbelts on all seats
Active front headrests
Warning triangle and first aid kit
Driver/Front Passenger airbags
Drivers knee airbag
Front passenger airbag deactivation
Tyre pressure monitor
Active bonnet
Seats
Front sports seats
Height adjustable front seats
50/50 split folding rear seat
2 height adjustable rear headrests
ISOFIX child seat preparation+airbag deactivation
Security
Anti theft alarm
Anti-theft wheel bolts
Remote control central locking
Thatcham category 1 alarm+immobiliser
Keyless Start
Immobiliser
Vanity Mirrors
Driver/passenger sunvisors
Wheels - Spare
Space saver spare wheel

Options
Entertainment
Audi Sound System with 9 speakers	£255.00
8 speakers	Standard
Packs
Storage pack - A3 Cabriolet/Saloon	£175.00
Interior light pack - A3 Hatchback/Sportback/Cabriolet	Standard
Driver assistance pack - A3 Cabriolet	£1,450.00
Comfort and sound pack - A3	£995.00
LED interior light pack - A3/RS3	£225.00
Paint - Metallic
Metallic - Cosmos blue	£550.00
Metallic - Tango red	£550.00
Metallic - Glacier white	£550.00
Metallic - Monsoon grey	£550.00
Metallic - Floret silver	£550.00
Metallic - Mythos black	£550.00
Metallic - Nano grey	£550.00
Paint - Solid
Solid - Brilliant black	Standard
Solid - Ibis white	Standard
Security
Advanced key	£400.00
Seats
Heated front seats	£300.00
4 way electric lumbar support	£250.00
Exterior Body Features
Audi exclusive paint	£2,400.00
Metallic paint	£550.00
Pearlescent paint	£550.00
Wind deflector	£300.00
Solid paint	Standard
Deletion of engine designation at rear	Standard
Deletion of model + engine designation at rear	Standard
Chassis/Suspension
Sports suspension	Standard
Dynamic suspension	Standard
Audi magnetic ride	£995.00
Hoods
Cloth hood - Red - Audi	Standard
Cloth hood - Black - Audi	Standard
Cloth hood - Grey - Audi	Standard
Interior Features
Leather/Alcantara upholstery	£1,000.00
Milano leather upholstery	£1,200.00
3 spoke flat bottom multi-function leather steering wheel	£225.00
3 spoke leather multifunction sports steering wheel	Standard
Rallye cloth upholstery	Standard
Rock grey headlining	Standard
Driver Aids
Cruise control + speed limiter	Standard
Park assist system	£425.00
Reversing camera	£375.00
Audi parking system plus with front and rear sensors	£300.00
Hill hold assist	Standard
Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go + pre sense front	£475.00
Audi side assist and lane assist	£1,000.00
Park assist system in combination with Driver assistance pack	£125.00
Rear parking sensors	Standard
Audi side assist	£500.00
Communication
Audi phone box with wireless charging	£325.00
Driving Mirrors
Auto dimming and folding door mirrors	£275.00
Interior Lights
Illuminated luggage compartment	Standard
Exterior Lights
All weather LED headlights	Standard
High beam assistant	£150.00
LED headlights with LED rear lights + dynamic rear indicators	£995.00
Matrix LED headlights with LED rear lights + dynamic front and rear indicators + Auto-dimming rear view mirror	£1,750.00
Safety
Pre sense basic	£200.00
Towing
Electric folding towbar	£850.00
Trim - Cloth
Rallye cloth - Black	Standard
Rallye cloth - Black/blue	Standard
Rallye cloth - Black/red	Standard
Trim - Leather
Milano leather - Black	£1,200.00
Milano leather - Chestnut brown	£1,200.00
Milano leather - Rock grey	£1,200.00
Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
Head level heating system	£400.00
Wheels - Alloy
17" 5 Arm design alloy wheels	Standard
17" 5 spoke Y design alloy wheels	£250.00
Trim - Part Leather
Alcantara/leather - Black	£1,000.00
Alcantara/leather - Rock grey	£1,000.00

Performance
0 to 60 mph (secs)
0 to 62 mph (secs)	7.3
Engine Power - BHP	190
Engine Power - KW	140
Engine Power - PS
Engine Power - RPM	4200
Engine Torque - LBS.FT	236
Engine Torque - NM	320
Engine Torque - RPM	1500
Top Speed	155

Audi A3 2.0 Tfsi Sport 2Dr Petrol Cabriolet

PCP (Personal Contract Purchase)

Hire Purchase

Lease

Key Standard Features*

Ten Second Review

Background

Driving Experience

Design and Build

Market and Model

Cost of Ownership