Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI 2dr Car Review - March 2012

For an open top, the A3 has good stability and offers great handling and sharp responsiveness, with a refined engine.

The roof is fabric, rather than metal and the wind noise suffers as a result of this, although Sport models get a thicker roof and this keeps the noise down. With the roof down, the cabin is sheltered without too much buffeting.

The engine is 1968cc and uses diesel with a fuel tank capacity of 55 litres. There is a manual six-speed gearbox, whilst provides smooth acceleration.

The 2.0 TDI has a 138bhp engine delivering 236lb-ft of torque at 1750-2500rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds with a top speed of 129mph.

The interior of the A3 is plush and elegant, although some of the features look a little cheaper than the rest of the cabin.

The roof comes down in a swift nine seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 19mph. The Sport models have a fully automated roof mechanism, but standard models are only semi-automated with the driver having to release the roof manually.

The 2.0 TDI comes with air conditioning, power steering, stability control, alloy wheels and stereo as standard, with optional extras including metallic paint for £510, leather seats for £1040, climate control for £385, cruise control for £220, MP3 connectivity for £185, rear parking sensors for £305, Bluetooth for £250 and satellite navigation for £890.

The A3 cabriolets all feature engine stop/start systems and brake energy recuperation technology designed to save fuel consumption.

The A3 hatch received great feedback for reliability from the 2011 JD Power Survey and the cabriolet should follow suit.

The A3 comes with stability control, electronic brake force distribution, with twin front and side airbags as standard, although without the hatchback’s full-length curtain airbag. The immobiliser and alarm add to security, but the Audi’s fabric hood is never going to be as much of a deterrent as the metal folding roof.

The rear seats are a little tight, but the cabriolet still easily seats four. The boot is fairly sizeable at 260 litres with the roof up or down and the rear seats fold down to extend the boot size to 674 litres. The rear seats also have the option to fold 50:50.

The A3 2.0 TDI model costs £24,440 and has a combined economy of 61.4mpg and CO2 emission rate of 119g/km.

For the price, the most basic trim option really doesn’t come with much equipment; even the usually standard MP3 connectivity unit is £185 extra and the roof is only semi-automated. However, the diesel engine is incredibly efficient, which makes running costs much lower than the petrol versions (although it is less refined).

The resale values on the A3 cabriolets are great (although the lack of equipment may hold back its value) so it is a worthwhile investment, whilst Audi promise good service and reliability.