2013 Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi unveils A3 Cabriolet

The third generation Audi A3 began life last year as a three door hatchback and a five-door sport back. At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Audi unveiled the sedan and now at the Frankfurt Show, the four-ringed automaker has revealed the cabriolet version. The Audi A3 is based on parent company Volkswagen’s MQB platform as shares it underpinnings with the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf hatchback.  

The A3 Cabriolet uses the same engines and underpinnings as the standard car. Its party piece as its names suggests the soft cloth roof which can be operated on the fly in speeds of 50kmph or lesser. It takes 18-seconds to expand or retract and can be replaced with the optional ‘acoustic top’ which has a thicker inner foam to decrease sounds levels in the cabin once the top is up. Optional features specific to the convertible include wind deflectors, heating for the head rests and active rollover protection. In standard form, the top is black in colour but can be had in shades of grey and brown also. 

The interiors too are similar to that of the A3 sedan and this includes the overall design as well as the feature list. The car is available in trim levels Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente with the S line sports package for the Ambition trim. 

The A3 Cabriolet will go on sale within the next two months with prices starting at 31, 700 Euros (Rs 27 lakh) .While the A3 sedan is due for the Indian market early next year to rival the CLA sedan, it is unlikely that the Cabriolet will make its way here any time soon.