Audi A3 Cabriolet: Best things... small packages

1.734254-2404851856 — Image Credit: Supplied

The news that cars have been getting steadily larger over the last decade or more will not come as a surprise to anyone. With the increases in weight and dimensions, engines might have been expected to get bigger, too.

This has not been the case, however. More advanced engine designs and technology have allowed car builders to get more power from familiar capacities without sacrificing reliability. Rather than increasing in size in parallel with the vehicles they power, they have merely increased output.

And now things are going even further. While cars continue to grow in stature,the engines powering them are shrinkingin size.

Take Audi's A3 Cabriolet. Leaving aside the folding roof for one moment, the A3 competes with the VW Golf and Ford Focus — albeit aimed at a more premium market.

Take examples of these cars from 15 years ago and the A3, like its contemporaries, dwarfs them.

Despite this, Audi's A3 Cabriolet can now be equipped with what seems like an outrageously small-capacity 1.2-litre engine. That's even more remarkable where the cabriolet version is concerned, as, despite the canvas roof, the model suffers from the same weight issues as nearly all convertibles thanks to the extra motors and chassis-stiffening required, and weighs in at nearly 100kg more than its three-door equivalent.

Audi, along with its Volkswagen Group stablemates, has quite some experience when it comes to setting trends with small-capacity engines. Previously, it was the 1.4-litre unit available in turbocharged and twin-charged form which raised eyebrows with its capacity-belying performance.

The 1.2 TFSI unit also uses forced induction to boost performance to respectable levels while keeping fuel consumption and emissions low. A replacement for the 1.6-litre engine, this one lowers CO2 emissions by 35g/km and raises fuel economy by 9.2mpg while improving acceleration and top speed.

Much of the engine's charisma comes in the form of its note; a distinctive grumble that's ever-present but rarely intrusive. With the roof down it adds to the driving appeal, offering a sports-inspired soundtrack. If it's outright performance that's sought, perhaps the 1.2 TFSI is not the best choice, but considering the impressive real world economy and tax-lowering emissions, it does a good job of shifting the A3 Cabriolet.

To really gather pace, the 1.2 TFSI A3 Cabriolet needs to be worked fairly hard, but a standard six-speed manual transmission means there's enough choice to ensure that the correct ratio can always be found. The A3 Cabriolet really shines in town. The smallest capacity engine impresses with its urban fuel consumption figures and slick, easy-to-drive nature. With the roof down on a beach-side boulevard, it looks and feels chic, smart and sophisticated.

In Sport trim the model has an executive appeal. Varying colour options for the quick-folding, one-touch electric roof add to the upmarket feel, as do impressive materials and an impeccable fit and finish inside. Compromises come in the form ofa small boot opening, restricted rear seating and a slightly firmer ride on the larger alloy wheels, but as a complete package the model offers a level of style and quality that's rare in the sector.

Add increased economy and the A3 Cabriolet's appeal gets bigger and bigger while the engines get smaller and smaller.

Made of steel

1. A3's body structure is made up of mostly steel, unlike Audi's other high-in-aluminium bigger models.
2. Mild steel proved sufficient for the floor, wheel arches and firewall.
3. Reinforcements are in ultra-high-strength steel, meaning the roll-over bars, rear chassis brace, front brace, and the transmission tunnel.
4. Everything else is in high-strength steel, altogether adding 100kg to the A3 Cabrio.

RIVALS

BMW 1 Series Cabrio
Munich prefers to run its steed through only the rear wheels, and it's the same story with the smallest car wearing the blue and white roundel. So its chassis is great, but with runflat tyres the ride is too stiff and electro-assisted steering numb. However the powerplants, including the four-pots, are all top notch and the 170bhp 120i Cabrio starts at Dh140,000.

Specs & ratings