Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI Sport (140PS) 6-speed manual

What is it?

Behold the elegant, new shape Audi A3 Cabriolet, arriving in the UK just in time for our glorious spring/summer sunshine (here’s hoping….).

 It’s a car that takes the former A3 Cabriolet silhouette and brings it up to date with new engines and technology, a fresh batch of style, extra boot space and for the business user, some pretty keen running cost numbers to top it all off.

Like the other members of the new A3 clan (three-door, Sportback and Saloon), the Cabriolet is based off the VW Group’s MQB platform (shared basic car structure) – but with a twist. Looking to move the Cabriolet up a few notches in size, it’s actually based off the A3 Saloon but with the shorter wheelbase of the 3-door model.

End result is a stylish Audi four seater that’s lower, wider and longer than the previous A3 Cabriolet and which sports a neat, folding fabric roof which can open/close in under 18 seconds and up to speeds of 31 mph.

Providing the power we have a range of proven 1.4-2.0-litre four cylinder engines (two TFSI petrol and one TDI, at launch) and for the budget conscious business user, it’s perhaps something of a coin toss as to whether to go for the 2.0 TDI (110g/km) or petrol 1.4 (114g/km).

True, the TDI has the better economy but the 1.4 is cheaper and will cost you less in company car tax as a result. It’s also marginally the sweeter drive.

Before long, Audi will add a 1.6 TDI to the range to give you a further choice., There’s also an 1.8 TFSi in the mix and full kit S3 and quattro variants on the way, too. Model grades, there are three – SE, Sport and S Line.

We start off with perhaps one of the most representative of the initial launch models which is to say the new A3 Cabriolet Sport with 1.4 TFSI engine and 6-speed manual box. Set to become one of the cars to have this summer?