German luxury car manufacturer Audi will launch its much-anticipated A3 sedan in India in August, 2014. At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, the company also unveiled the A3 Cabriolet which is also expected to go on sale in the country in near future. This model is a two-door, four-seater with retractable roof top which is based on the hard top A3 sedan. The vehicle is targeted at the buyers looking for the joy and style while driving with roof down.
Engine & Transmission
In international markets, the Audi A3 Cabriolet is offered in 2 petrol and 1 diesel engine. The petrol engine range includes a 1.4-litre TFSI and a 1.8-litre TFSI. The smaller 1.4-litre TFSI engine that churns out maximum power output of 140PS. This model accelerates to 100kmph from standstill in 9.1 seconds. The other petrol engine is equipped with a 1.8-litre TFSI engine that produces 180PS. It sprints to 0-100kmph from standstill in mere 7.8 seconds and catches a top speed of 241kmph. Both the engines are linked to a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. The diesel version is powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine producing 150PS of top power. It does 0-100kmph in mere 8.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 223bhp.
Exteriors
The Audi A3 Cabriolet measures 4.42 metres in length, 179 metres in width and 1.41 metres in height, and it has a large wheelbase of 2.60 metres. This model has a large luggage carrying capacity of 60-litres. The front fascia of the A3 Cabriolet features single frame radiator grille flanked by flat headlamps than can light the way using either halogen or xenon bulbs. The windscreen frame of the Cabriolet is made of aluminium- and an aluminium-look strip runs around the roof aperture. On the flanks, the design features a taut tornado line and contoured surfaces that take full advantage of light and shadow.
The soft fabric roof is stretched, over a lightweight kinematic mechanism made of magnesium steel. At the press of a button, the top opens or closes electro-hydraulically in less than 18 seconds at a speed of up to 50kmph.
Interiors
The interiors of the Audi A3 Cabriolet get elegant lines, clean surfaces and high quality. The instrument panel is plane and low, with a curvy front section. The centre console is smartly angles towards the driver. The vehicle gets large, round air vents with their ‘jet design’. The electrically retractable 5.8-inch colour monitor which is complemented by the driver’s information system and the control panel for the air conditioning system. It also has optional lighting package which for the first time includes a touch-sensitive switch for the reading lights. The rear seats can be folded down to create wide through-load area.
Launch date in India: Early 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 30-35 lakh
