3 For All

Aug 10 2008

Audi's Spacious, Sleek A3 Will Impress Every Drop-Top Driver

Graeme's verdict

SIX weeks of girl power and Mailmotors has gone to the dogs.

All the talk of going topless, seat fabrics and aromatherapy air fresheners during my absence was more painful than my slipped disc.

Now I'm back I hoped to redress the balance with a look at Mitsubishi's new Evo X.

Alas no, Liz wielded her Prada handbag and we're testing Audi's A3 convertible - more hairdresser's mobile than rocket-fuelled rally car.

Instead of ripping through country lanes at a rate of knots, I find myself mincing along Byres Road in Glasgow's west end in a motor that would make David Furnish blush.

OK, the A3 isn't nearly the limp-wristed affair I expected.

A turbocharged 1.8-litre engine packed a punch, while a set of strong lines make it fair game for any red-blooded male.

While other sectors feel the pinch, convertible sales buck the trend as hopeful Brits look to take advantage of the sun.

BMW already have the 1-Series convertible but this German is just as refined.

The lack of noise makes for pleasurable driving when the canvas roof is down - a feat achieved in just nine seconds.

Being an Audi, it isn't cheap but the beautifully finished interior and spacious four-seat cabin means no corners have been cut.

The market for desirable, compact convertibles didn't exist until this summer, now we have two rivals worth fighting over.

GRAEME LENNOX

Liz's verdict

MY sidekick is back so that means I have to get used to sharing cars with him again.

It feels like he's never been away - in just a few days he managed to make the all-new Audi A3 look like the back of Steptoe's yard.

I have no idea why he carries so much of his stuff around with him but luckily the boot on this nifty convertible is impressive for a car of this size, especially one that has a drop-top.

The design of this car is genius. The hood, when folded down, doesn't take up any of the boot space as it folds flat into a separate compartment.

If you want to go topless, it only takes nine seconds.

I've always loved Audis and this new creation is absolutely amazing.

My particular Audi convertible of choice has always been the A4 and while that gives you loads of practical aspects as well as fun, my preference has switched since driving this new model.

The front driver and passenger space is great. In the rear you have enough legroom for two adults, although a long journey wouldn't be a good idea.

As standard, this car boasts alloy wheels, heated rear glass window, electric and heated body-coloured wing mirrors, gear change paddles on the steering wheel and manual air conditioning.

The A3 has 15 paint finishes and you can have the hood in blue, black or red.

My only complaint is the rear seat head-rests are large and hampered the view in the rearview mirror. But I could learn to live with it.

LIZ COWAN

+TECHSPEC+

AUDI'S A3 convertible range starts from £20,475. We drove the 1.8 TFSI Sport manual priced £23,350.

Performance: 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds, 135mph top speed.

Fuel: 38.7mpg.

Equipment: 16in alloys, air conditioning, category 1 alarm and immobiliser, four airbags, electronic stability, roll-over bars, leather-trimmed steering wheel.

We loved: Smooth ride and classy suspension.

We hated: Bulky rear end.

Rivals: BMW 1-Series convertible.