Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI S line 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 1984cc and uses unleaded petrol with a fuel tank capacity of 55 litres. There is a manual six-speed gearbox, whilst provides smooth acceleration.

The 2.0 TFSI S line has a 197bhp engine delivering 206lb-ft of torque at 1800-5000rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 144mph.

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 TFSI S line comes with cloth/leather seats, power steering, climate control, stability control, 19 inch alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity and stereo as standard, with optional extras including metallic paint for £510, cruise control for £220, rear parking sensors for £305, Bluetooth for £250 and satellite navigation for £655.

The A3 received great feedback for reliability from the 2011 JD Power Survey.

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 A3 2.0 TFSI S line model costs £29,055 and has a combined economy of 39.2mpg and CO2 emission rate of 169g/km.

The 2.0 TFSI S line is a much better model than the basic trim version, as it comes with plenty of kit as standard and with the same great engine and efficiency. The S line also has plenty of sporty additions too. However, it is a big price jump from the other 2.0 TFSI trim options and value for money is comprimised. The Sport trim should satisfy all visual and equipment needs at a less hiked up price.

The resale values on the A3 cabriolets are great, so it is a worthwhile investment, whilst Audi promise good service and reliability. Overall this model does not represent great value for money, as others in the range are cheaper and boast lower running costs.