A convertible really needs three things: it must look great, have a rigid body to compensate for the lost roof and sport a quick-'n-easy folding top.
Audi's A3 convertible, launched in South Africa in September 2008, has all three.
As eye-candy it ain't bad at all and it has the summer-lovin' looks that slip effortlessly into seaside playgrounds such as Camps Bay or St Tropez.
The lines are sleek and sexy and the daytime running lights add an extra shot of "look-at-me". You can jazz it up more with an S Line body and cabin package.
This car's not just for posing, though. This A3 is agile through corners and has a plush, shake-free ride on a chassis reinforced to make up for the missing fixed metal roof; even on very rippled tar there's only a little scuttle shake. The handling's very clean and crisp and, dynamically, this is one of the better hairdresser's cars we've driven.
The extra mass of the body strengthening hasn't muzzled performance much and I enjoyed the spirited feel of the car when I goosed the throttle. The 2.0 TFSI unit we tested (the other engine choice is a 1.8 TFSI) is gunned along by the Golf GTi's 147kW, two-litre turbo engine that has strong mid-range urge and minimal turbo lag.
Audi's sea-level performance data reads 231km/h and 0-100km/h in 7.3sec - 0.3 slower than a regular A3.
The folding canvas top is one of the quickest in the business at just more than 10sec in either direction - more than twice as fast as BMW's 1 Series convertible - and comes in full auto or semi auto, the latter, with two layers of cloth, requiring the driver to release two latches.
The full auto, for another R7500, requires no manual intervention and has a third acoustic layer that, Audi says, makes the cabin pretty much as quiet as the model with a full metal jacket.
This car is a true four-seater and, although the back seat isn't the last word in space, it takes a couple of adults without causing blood clots. Boot space with the roof up is a reasonble 260 litres - big enough for two holiday cases - but nearly triples in size with the rear seats folded.
MULTIPLE CRASH-BAGS
Toys are plentiful, everything that moves is push-button and it's all set in a cabin environment typical of Audi's high-class flair.
Multiple crash-bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and rollover protection involves hoops behind the rear seats and reinforced windscreen pillars.
The Audi A3's a reasonable way to get a sunburnt forehead at R303 500 for the entry-level 1.8 TFSI and R342 500 for the 2.0 TFSI. - Star Motoring
AUDI A3 2.0 TFSI SPECIFICATIONS
Test car from: Audi SA.
ENGINE
Cylinders:
.
Capacity:
cc.
Fuel system:
.
Power:
Torque:
.
TRANSMISSION
Type:
.
SUSPENSION
Front:
.
Rear:
.
STEERING
Type:
.
Steering column adjustment:
.
BRAKES
Front:
.
Rear:
.
Driver aids:
.
WHEELS/TYRES
Rims:
.
Tyres:
.
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT
Length:
mm.
Width:
mm.
Height:
mm.
Mass:
kg.
FUEL TANK/CONSUMPTION
litres, litres/100km.
km/h (claimed).
ACCELERATION
0-100km/h:
sec.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURER SUPPORT
-year or 000km warranty.
-year or 000km service plan.
SERVICE INTERVALS
000km.
PRICE
R .