The Audi A3 Cabriolet doesn't deserve the same attention as praise as its sedan and hatch brothers. It plays in a much smaller sandbox without even shining as brightly as some of its rear-wheel drive competitors. But, and this very important, it's the only convertible built on the MQB platform and it combines that with a much better interior than the ones offered by Volkswagen or SEAT.
We the help of the next video, we'll be taking a look at the 1.4 TFSI version of the new A3 Cabriolet with the 1.4 TFSI turbo engine rated at 140 hp and 250 Nm of torque (184 lb-ft). Since downsized engines are becoming ever-more popular, we believe many customers will end up looking for fuel consumption and a premium package in this very model.
Being front-wheel drive only, the A3 has problems putting its power down off the line due to front end lift. As a result 0 to 100 km/h takes 9.4 in the model tested, slower then what we expected and even than Audi's official claimed numbers (9.1 seconds claimed).
An A3 Cabrio with this engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox retails for €31,700 in Germany, being the second cheapest you can buy. With an emissions sticker of "A" and fuel consumption of 4.9 liters combined, it should be cheap to own and run. However, the Audi premium badge is wasted on a model that's slow, doesn't come with keyless start and has such a lack-luster interior.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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