I’m no fan of convertibles. Manufacturers spend gazillions on structural stiffness and eliminating noise, vibration and harshness, so why would you want to lose all that integrity and be charged more for an inferior car?
It is therefore against expectation that I find myself quite enjoying the new Cabriolet version of Audi’s A3. This is the 2.0 TFSI S-line – the most exciting model in the line-up – and with nearly 200bhp and a hefty 206lb ft it certainly gives the 1485kg (up just 55kg from the hatch) A3 Cab genuine Golf GTI-rivalling pace.
More impressively, the chopped A3 maintains astounding structural stiffness that allows the suspension to work efficiently. In fact I’m struggling to think of a convertible that feels so close to its hard-top sibling. The fabric roof retracts in just nine seconds and, when stowed, the rush of wind is refreshing but never whips into an uncomfortable whirlwind.
The A3 Cab is also a reminder of how far Audi has come in terms of chassis tuning. It rides well, feels light and agile, and resists the clutches of understeer with commendable determination. It’s no Golf GTI in terms of sheer enjoyment, but it’s not the horrible compromise I was expecting.
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