Portugal should be named Natural Reserve of Convertible Cars. Weather conditions and Portuguese landscapes are perfectly matched by the Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI. Find out why in this essay.
Most people associate the use of convertibles only with the warm seasons of the year. One of the reasons is linked to the supposed limitations of textile hoods in the acoustic and thermal insulation of the passenger compartment, the other is related to the prejudice regarding the circulation of the hood collected in winter. Anyone gearing up for these reasons should take the Audi A3 Cabriolet for a ride.
“Audi A3 Cabriolet driving pleasure is not measured in km/h and gas, it is measured in smiles and landscapes”
With the top closed, it travels like a normal A3. It's almost impossible to guess that we're sitting in a convertible. The work carried out by German engineers on the acoustic and thermal insulation of the interior is remarkable.
In truth, convertibles are no longer what they used to be, and this A3 Cabriolet is a good example of this new school of convertibles for «everyday». The hood has no tricks, no springs, no secrets or obsolete side trims. Nothing. Just press a button et voilá! in a flash we circled our hair in the wind.
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I confess that I converted to convertibles after testing four models of a seat in the last four months, since then I've been evangelizing "half the world to this world". collected. The winter sun in Portugal is perfect: it doesn't burn, it doesn't bother and keeps you company. The thermometer marked only 7 degrees and left Margem Sul at 9 am towards Lisbon with your hair in the wind.
With the central diffuser mounted on the rear seats, the roof collapsed and the heating switched on, the Audi A3 Cabriolet travels undisturbed up to 140 km/h. It is possible to have a conversation, talk on the phone (hands-free, of course…) and listen to the radio. I already thought of sawing through the roof of my car and turning it into a convertible. However, I saw a certain English car show, made by middle-aged men and changed my mind…
It's comfortable, very comfortable. Especially when equipped with these 16-inch wheels and low-friction tires
Behavior? It doesn't disappoint. Again, the sensations are very similar to those of a “normal” Audi A3. However, when we tighten the tempo, we notice the loss of rigidity of the structure and the less communicative direction compared to the hardtop versions. The Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI is definitely not intended to be sporty. It's not your element.
But it's comfortable. Especially when equipped with these 16-inch wheels and low-friction tires – which don't bode well in favor of design but do an exemplary job in favor of comfort. So, but misbehaving? No, it just goes safe from turn to turn, from yawn to yawn without getting excited.
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There are no dramas, no backs to flee or fronts to come alive. That's because in the Audi A3 Cabriolet driving pleasure is not measured in km/h or gas, it's measured in smiles and landscapes. He is a true companion on the road that can (and should…) accompany us on a daily basis.
The most skeptical will point out defects in the presence of a diesel engine in a convertible, they will say that their philosophy is better suited to gasoline engines. They're right, but the Volkswagen group's 110hp 1.6 TDI doesn't even get away with it. It's spare, discreet, walks far enough and doesn't compromise on the highway.
As for prices, in the attraction version the price of the A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI starts at 38,250 euros. A value that goes up to 43,445 euros for the tested version if we add some extras – see the complete sheet here.
Photography: Diogo Teixeira
| MOTOR | 4 cylinders |
| CYLINDRAGE | 1598 cc |
| STREAMING | Manual 6 Speed |
| TRACTION | Forward |
| WEIGHT | 1420 kg. |
| POWER | 110 hp / 4000 rpm |
| BINARY | 250 NM / 1750 rpm |
| 0-100 KM/H | 11.0 sec |
| SPEED MAXIMUM | 199 km/h |
| CONSUMPTION | 6.2 lt./100 km (test average) |
| PRICE | €43,445 |