KEY POINTS:
Audi has taken the top off its A3 small car. The new A3 cabriolet joins the larger A4 and TT soft-tops in the German manufacturer's range.
Packaging constraints for the top mean that the centre-rear seating position has been deleted, but Audi says the new cabriolet still "comfortably seats four occupants".
The rear seatbacks also fold down to increase luggage capacity - an unusual feature for a convertible.
At 4238mm in length, the cabriolet is shorter than the A3 Sportback five-door (4286mm) but longer than the existing A3 three-door (4214mm).
The cabriolet picks up Audi's new signature styling detail - optional daytime running lights in the form of an integral light strip, with seven white light-emitting diodes.
The rear lights of the cabriolet are of a flat, broad design. Their technology is based on fibre optic rods, but the visual effect is intended to be of two radiant rings.
When lowered, the hood folds up in a Z-pattern which takes up a minimum amount of space.
The header - a rigid section at the roof's front edge - comes to rest on top, flush with the body.
The design enables the roof to be opened and closed while driving at up to 30km/h.
The optional "acoustic" hood has a synthetic fibre mat between the inner and outer layers.
At 140km/h, Audi claims it is only 1dB louder inside than in the hard-top A3.
- Detours, HoS
