Audi->ke14 unveiled the new-generation A3 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show->ke228, and shortly after, it started to test the other models in the A3->ke1086 lineup, including the convertible->ke144 version.

After being caught testing in many times, the new A3 Cabriolet will make its official debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235. To no one's surprise, the model will carry over many of the components from the hatchback version, with the only exception being, of course, that new cloth top.

The new model grew significantly, as its total length goes from 166.8 inches to 174 inches. Despite this growth, the A3 actually drops 110 pounds over the previous model, thanks to Audi switching over to lightweight materials and the new building technologies.

Updated 09/09/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images, specs and video.

Updated 06/19/2014: Audi announced prices for the all new A3 Convertible which will be put on sale on the U.S. market as a 2015 model year. Set to go on sale this summer, the A3 Convertible will be priced from $35,600. You will also find a new set of high res images and one new video. Enjoy!

Click past the jump to read more about the Audi A3 Cabriolet.

audi-a3-cabriolet

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: audi-a3-cabriolet
Pros
Cons

2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 140
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Just like with any other Audi model launched in the past few months, the new A3 Cabriolet is characterized by a Singleframe grille, flat headlights in horizontal styling and larger air intakes in the bumper. Buyers can order the headlights with optional LED technology, making the new A3 the only model in the compact segment to offer variable headlight leveling control.

On the rear, the model gets an aluminum frame for the windshield and aluminum-look trim strip running around the entire car.

The new A3 Cabriolet is equipped with a soft cloth top built on a lightweight, magnesium-steel kinematic mechanism. This top opens and closes with the push of a button in just 18 seconds, and it's even safe to operate at speeds up to 31 mph. As a standard, this top is fully automatic with a glass rear window. Buyers can opt for a fully automatic, acoustic top in one of three colors -- Black, Gray and Brown -- with the roofline offered in black and lunar silver.

Dimensions:

Length

4.42 m (147 Inches)

Wheelbase

2.60 m (102.4 Inches)

Width

1.79 m (70.5 Inches)

Height

1.41 m (55.5 Inches)

Weight

1,365 kg (3,009 Pounds)


Interior

As no surprise, the A3 Cabriolet's interior is basically identical to the A3 hatchback. It gets a lean and low instrument panel, with a slightly curved front and the center console angled slightly towards the driver. The control panel is equipped with large, round air vents in jet design, while the steering wheel and the seats feature a new design.

The new A3 Cabriolet offers enough interior room for four adults, and the rear seats fold forward to increase the load area of the trunk.

Buyers can order the A3 Cabriolet in three trim lines -- Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente -- with an S line sport package offered as an option.

The A3 drop top is offered with a driver information system as an option. Also optional is adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, Audi active lane assist, camera-based traffic sign recognition and park assist with selective display.

Also, as an option customers can also opt for the Bang & Olufsen sound system and MMI Navigation plus with a super-slender 7-inch monitor.

Drivetrain

The new A3 Cabriolet is offered with a choice of three engines, giving buyers plenty to choose from. The two gasoline engines include a 1.4-liter TFSI engine that delivers 140 horsepower and a 1.8-liter TFSI that puts down 180 horsepower. The diesel lineup include a 2.0-liter TDI with an output of 150 horsepower. After some time, Audi will start adding in more engines, ranging from a 1.6-liter TDI with an output of 110 horsepower to a 2.0 TFSI with 300 horsepower set to arrive in the S3 version.

When compared to the previous generation, the new A3 Cabriolet delivers 12-percent better fuel economy. For example, the 1.4-liter TFSI version delivers 47.04 mpg with a 0-to-60 mph sprint in just 9.1 seconds.

The 1.4 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI versions come with a manual six-speed transmission, while the 1.8 TFSI version offers a seven-speed S tronic transmission. The quattro all-wheel drive system will be offered at a later date.

Suspension and Brakes

The new A3 Cabriolet comes with an aluminum MacPherson front suspension, a four-link rear suspension and a power steering system with an efficient electromechanical drive. As an option, buyers can equip the A3 Cabriolet with a sport suspension that lowers the body by 15 mm (0.59 inches), or a S line sport suspension dropping 25 mm (0.98 inches) from the car's height.

Customers can choose between 16- to 19-inch wheels combined with powerful and durable brakes, and tire sizes range up to 235/35.

Prices

Prices for the new A3 Cabriolet will start from €31,700 (about $42,000 at the current exchange rates) for the 1.4 TFSI version. Sales begin this autumn in Germany, and first deliveries will be in the first quarter of 2014.

On the U.S. market the A3 Convertible will be priced from $35,600 for the 1.8T FWD S tronic version and $38,600 for the 2.0T q S tronic version.

Competition

BMW 2 Series Convertible

Up to this point, the A3 Cabriolet was targeting the BMW 1 Series Convertible, but as BMW decided to change things with the new generation 1 Series, so the new competitor for the A3 Cabriolet will be the 2 Series Convertible.

The model is expected to arrive sometime in 2014, with a choice of only four-cylinder engines and power ranging from 150 to 214 horsepower.

Mercedes A-Class Convertible

Set to arrive sometime in 2014, the new Mercedes A-Class Convertible will represent the first competitor ever offered by Mercedes for models like the A3 Cabriolet. The model will be built same front-wheel-drive platform as the A-Class and the CLA and will be offered with a fabric roof.

As for the engine lineup, next to the usual 1.6-liter turbo and 1.8-liter diesel engines, Mercedes will also offer a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with an output of about 200 horsepower. The S3 will also get an AMG rival at some point.

Conclusion

As with every model launched by Audi in the past few years now, the new A3 Cabriolet impresses us with to its sporty and elegant lines. On a second look, you will also notice the new engine lineup and the new technology features, so we're pretty certain that the A3 will be a hit.