Exterior design

According to Audi "there are many arguments in favour of a classic soft top". It lowers the overall weight and the centre of gravity, is inspired by the original open-driving concept and allows to achieve a design with harmonious proportions.

The A3 Cabriole measures 4,238 millimetres in length, 1,765 mm in width and 1,424 mm in height.

Among the typica Audi's design elements are the strong presence and the interplay between its surfaces that lends the body a sculpted look.

The horizontal dynamic line above the sill and the ascending shoulder line create the impression of a more elongated body.

The front end is dominated by the large single-frame grille.

The headlights can be supplied optionally with xenon plus lights, which can operate in tandem with the dynamic adaptive light technology.

The "wing" – a chrome vapour-coated wing-shaped contour – has become established as a characteristic Audi element; its form varies depending on the type of headlight.

The daytime running lights in the form of an integral light strip – an important safety feature at Audi – comprise seven white light-emitting diodes in conjunction with the xenon plus units.

Similarly to the headlights, the rear lights of the A3 Cabriolet use a flat, broad design.

Their technology is based on fibre optic rods, but the visual effect is of two radiant rings that clearly distinguish the car as an Audi even after dark.

The striking wheel arches accommodate large wheels (16 to 18 inches depending on the version).

The 15 paint colours available can be combined with three hood colours – black, blue and red.

The soft top

The new A3 Cabriolet has a classic fabric top that "blends in perfectly with the original, authentic idea of open-top driving".

The hood keeps its shape thanks to the mechanically moved metal linkage, which assures an excellent close fit, perfect tightness and the silhouette of a coupé. A large, heated glass rear window affords a good view to the rear.

The fabric top is available in two versions – the semi-automatic soft top and the fully automatic acoustic hood. In both cases the hood is moved by a highpressure pump with two hydraulic cylinders, which open the soft top in just nine seconds.

When lowered, the hood is folded up in a Z-pattern so that it takes up a minimum amount of space.

The header – a board at its front edge – comes to rest on top, basically flush with the body, with the result that the structure needs neither a tonneau cover nor a cover flap.

The folded hood is set down in a compact sheet steel compartment that reduces the luggage compartment capacity only very slightly.

The high-performance kinematics mean that the acoustic hood can also be opened and closed at speeds of up to 30 km/h – a big advantage in terms of convenience when driving in urban traffic.

The fully automatic soft top takes the form of an acoustic hood.

Between the outer skin and the inner lining there is a synthetic fibre mat that further improves thermal insulation and soundproofing – at a speed of 140 km/h it is only 1 dB (A) louder inside the Audi A3 Cabriolet than in the A3. If only the front seats are occupied, a wind deflector can be erected above the rear bench seat in a few simple steps from one side of the vehicle.

Body Structure

In order to compensate for the absence of the roof, the reinforced body structure makes extensive use of high-strength steels (45%) and ultrahigh-strength steels (9%), combining low weight with maximum rigidity.

The roof frame and roll-over bar incorporate hot-formed steels for maximum safety.

Reinforcing profiles are integrated into the side sills and vehicle floor. V-pattern steel profiles additionally reinforce the forward structure and rear end, and there is a capsule with another reinforcing frame beneath the engine compartment.

There are high-strength panels in the B-posts. A box-shaped structure made from high-strength sheet steel separates the passenger compartment from the luggage compartment. The roll-over bars of hot-formed steel tubing are bolted into this structure. Similar high-tech tubes serve to reinforce the A-posts internally.

Head/thorax side airbags are integrated into the backs of the front seats. In the event of a rear-end collision, the Audi integrated head restraint system promptly cushions the head and upper body.

Technical Features

The range of engines includes four units - two gasoline and two diesel, all of which equipped with direct injection and turbocharging.

The available transmission systems include a six-speed manual gearbox and the S tronic dual-clutch gearbox.

The front suspension uses a McPherson design with triangulated lower wishbones, mounted on an aluminum subframe that is bolted to the body, thus contributing to the overall rigidity.

The rear suspension adopts a four-link system, capable of registering and responding to longitudinal and lateral forces separately, and connected to the body by a subframe.

The power-steering system does not use energy when the car is driving in a straight line, saving 0.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on average.

Interior

The interior design features large surfaces bordered by calm lines.

The four round air vents and the side knee cushions on the centre console's struts are reminiscent of the Audi TT.

The speedometer and rev counter's red needles sweep across dials in a sporty black. On the Ambition equipment line, the A3 Cabriolet is supplied with a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel.

Multifunction keys are available as an option, and the S tronic transmission features shift paddles. The switches adopt an organic, ergonomic design.

The two navigation systems available use an operating logic adopted from the MMI concept adopted on Audi's large car lines.

On the Ambition line, both front seats are sportily contoured. An electric four-way lumbar support is available as an option, as is heating for the front seats or all four seats.

The windscreen is as upright as on the A3 with permanent roof, creating an unobstructed, airy impression of openness – unlike many competitor concepts with a steel roof, where the windscreen lies flatter.

The rear seat backs can be folded down, increasing the luggage capacity from 260 to 674 litres

Because the folded hood occupies little space, it has not been necessary to move the rear bench seat further forward.

This leaves ample legroom at the rear, thanks in part to the long wheelbase of 2,578 millimetres.

The multimedia system includes a connection for an iPod or MP3 player, located on the center tunnel, and two navigation systems – with monochrome or large colour monitor.

(Source: Audi)