Audi A3 Cabriolet 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Variants, Features and Mileage

In how many variants are the 2020 Audi A3 Cabriolet available in?

The car is offered only in one variant by Audi in India called the A3 Cabriolet 35 TFSI S Tronic. Putting only one variant on sale makes sense for Audi as a convertible car does not enjoy the same demand as some other mass-market cars. But it is not a bad thing, as the variant on the offer gets a lot of goodies. It is priced at Rs. 50,60,000 (Ex-showroom Delhi) which is around 20 lakhs more than the sedan version of the A3. It offers features such as Dual-zone electronic climate control, Audi Parking System Plus, 4 Airbags including a driver-side knee airbag, Hill holds assist, etc. 

What is the power source for Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Downsizing seems to be the trend in the automotive industry these days. Hence, even the new A3 Cabriolet gets a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which has replaced the earlier 1.8-litre engine. It makes 150 bhp of power between 5000-6000rpm, and 250Nm of torque between 1500rpm to 3500rpm. There are advantages as well as disadvantages to going for a smaller engine. While the power output has decreased by about 27 Bhp, fuel efficiency has improved. It is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox via the front wheels. The engine feels quite refined for the most part but gets vocal past 4500rpm. Within the city, the engine feels quite effortless and the car can crawl around easily even in stop and go traffic. Once on the open roads, the engine performance is sprightly but fails to incite any excitement.

Audi has added a very smart touch to how the engine runs. The motor shuts down two of its cylinders at low output requirements which makes it a cylinder-on-demand set-up. The 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is a delight to use and is enough to make you forget that this car is a second slower than the earlier one. Overall, the performance from the new engine is satisfactory but Audi could have certainly added more fizz to their drink.

In this comparison, Mercedez gets the bigger engine which generates more power and torque as well. It is quicker than Audi’s puny 1.4-litre engine in every way. The C-Class also gets 2 more gears than the A3 cabriolet which leads to a better spread of power and torque.

How fast is the Audi A3 Cabriolet from 0-100?

When it comes to acceleration, the Audi A3 Cabriolet is no slouch but it ain’t the best sprinter too. It takes the 2nd spot in 2.0-liter0-100 kmph run as the C-Class manages to beat it with no problems.

The C-Class previous power and hence is certainly what will make you fall in love with the Audi every time you go pedal to the metal style is the 7-speed S Tronic gearbox. The gearbox is slick shiting which helps make fast moves in terms of in-gear acceleration. 

The new Cabriolet is a full second slower than the previous generation. Audi has certainly brought a downgrade to the performance package as there are some hot-hatches which are much faster and cheaper than the A3 Cabriolet. Overall, the car is a better cruiser than a sprinter in any scenario.

How good are the driving dynamics of Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Audi has made sure that while you are enjoying the sun in your drop-top, you are also seated in the utmost comfort. The new Audi A3 Cabriolet is well-tuned even for Indian road conditions and offers a wonderful ride. The suspension manages to soak most bumps and potholes quite well and works quite silently too. Even though it’s a compact-sized car it offers a ride quality of a big car. On fast corners, there is slight body roll but nothing unsettling. Darting the car into the corners is a lot of fun but the experience is let down by the lack of pulling power on offer by the 1.4liter engine.

The big potholes or bumps do manage to filter in sometimes in form of a little thud sound. In terms of handling the steering feels precise and quite premium to hold. The A3 Cabriolet is quick to change directions and the steering remains light in stop and go traffic conditions. Once on open roads, it gains some heft but fails to provide adequate feedback to the driver. Overall, the ride and handling package of the car is quite satisfactory dropping the top of the car makes it feel more engaging. 

How well-modulated are the brakes on A3 Cabriolet?

Luckily, Audi had no plans on downgrading the braking set-up of the A3 Cabriolet. Hence, it continues to offer the same superb braking performance. It gets disc brakes at the front as well as at the rear. Also, it also gets a brake pad wear indicator which tells you when the car is due for a brake pad change. Under hard braking, the car maintains its line and the brakes also offer quite a lot of feedback to the driver.

Overall, for a compact car, the A3 Cabriolet will keep you happy in terms of braking performance.

What are the mileage figures of Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Due to the downsizing of the engine, there is only one thing that the customers will be happy about, i.e. mileage. The new A3 Cabriolet offers an impressive mileage of 19.2 kmpl. Hence, it is not an expensive car to run, which means your bank account will not be dropping like the A3 Cabriolet’s top! Audi deserves a pat on its back for providing such a frugal engine with an automatic gearbox.

How good-looking is the A3 Cabriolet?

The looks of the A3 Cabriolet are quite a highlight of the overall package. It looks sportier than the A3 sedan and interestingly also has a larger wheelbase of approx 2.6 meters. At the front, it gets a single-frame radiator grille which is surrounded by the xenon headlamps. It gets an aluminium frame for the windscreen which is a common thing in convertible cars. It also gets a new design for the alloy wheels to set it apart from the A3 Sedan. From the rear, the changes are much lesser.

Coming to the main highlight of the A3 Cabriolet design, the soft-top roof. It is a fabric roof that is stretched over a lightweight kinematic mechanism made of magnesium steel. The top can open or close in about 18 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 kmph.  Overall the car gets an understated design with the soft top adding some drama to its overall looks to keep it interesting.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet is a much bigger car in terms of physical dimensions than the A3 Cabriolet. This is evident from the spec sheet as well. This also means that the A3 Cabriolet is has a much smaller cabin than the C-Class Cabriolet. In terms of looks, the Mercedez certainly looks more imposing.

Exterior Features:

• Projector Headlamps
• LEDTaillampss
• Body-Coloured Bumpers
• R16 Dual-tone alloy wheels
• Roof Antenna
• Black Grained Diffuser

How well-stacked is the cabin of A3 Cabriolet?

Audi has always been known to provide premium interiors and things are no different from the A3 Cabriolet. Audi has added more premium touches on the inside to uplift the cabin ambience. The cabin looks elegant yet sporty with high-quality materials and the cabin looks clean in terms of its design. There are optional sports seats on offer which look and feel quite premium. The A3 cabriolet does not get the virtual cockpit, instead, it gets an instrument cluster with two large circular inserts and a MID screen in between which looks a bit boring.

The centre console is angled towards the driver which makes the car look driver-centric. The air vents get the typical Audi style circular jet propeller design, and the car features a retractable 5.8-inch screen. The dashboard layout, however, looks quite basic and has no flashy features. The rear bench is best suited for kids and fitting an adult in them is a task. Overall, the interiors feel quite premium but lack a feeling of excitement.

Creature comforts on offer:

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Steering Adjustment - Tilt & Telescopic
• Cruise Control
• Rear Armrest
• Rear Parking Camera
• Sunglass holder

What are the infotainment features on offer?

The roof is not the only retractable thing that this Audi gets. It also gets a coloured seven-inch media screen which rises from the dash when you turn on the ignition. Audi has provided a metal-rimmed dial on the centre console to control the infotainment. It helps you keep the eyes on the road while driving and hence makes the car experience safer.

You can operate almost every feature from the screen and it feels quite intuitive. It comes with apple car play and android auto. Overall, the infotainment screen is quite responsive and is bright enough to be view even under direct sunlight. 

How spacious is the boot of Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Audi A3 Cabriolet offers a boot space of 320 litres, which might sound small to some but is a respectable boot for a convertible car. This is one department where the A3 Cabriolet manages to beat the Mercedes Benz C-Class Cabriolet.

The boot is big enough to haul in a weekend worth of your luggage with a tight squeeze. 

What are the safety features on offer in the 2020 A3 Cabriolet?

Standard equipment in the A3 Cabriolet includes a wide range of safety features, such as the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), DRLs, ESC (Electronic Stabilisation Control), and 4 airbags. In addition, it also offers a brake pad wear indicator. Talking about structural rigidity, Audi has utilized high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels in many areas. At A-pillars, windshield frame, sills and B pillars reinforcements compensate for the lack of a rigid metal roof. Hence, the A3 Cabriolet is quite a safe car.

Audi A3 Cabriolet safety features on offer include:

• Rear shock absorption
• Electronic stabilization control (ESC)
• Dynamic suspension
• 4 Airbag system with knee airbag (driver)
• Automatic Start-Stop system
• Electronically limited top speed
• Brake pad wear indicator
• Impact sensing Auto Door Unlock
• Keyless entry
• Rear Defogger with Timer
• High-Speed Alert

How does the entry-level convertible from Audi stack up against the competitor?

Audi A3 Cabriolet VS Mercedes Benz C-class Cabriolet

Mercedez Benz has got its C-Class Cabriolet to take a pie of the convertible car segment in India. It has certainly got quite a strong product to the market which feels quite premium as well as does not compromise in terms of performance. In comparison to the A3 Cabriolet, the C-Class Cabriolet is certainly a better product in every way except in terms of pricing and mileage.

What's the final call on the A3 Cabriolet?

If you are looking to buy a convertible car in India, chances are it is not going to be your first car. But Audi has taken a shot at convincing the luxury car customers to go for its A3 Cabriolet regardless. It has placed the car quite well in the market and it certainly offers a premium package. But as the car is yet not assembled or made in India, it is on the expensive side due to it being a CBU. Now, if you factor in the pricing we would recommend you to spend extra Rs. 15 lakhs on the Mercedez Benz C-Class Cabriolet and get yourself a better performing and a more premium car. But if you are on a strict budget, then the A3 Cabriolet is the only option in the market of luxury convertible cars under Rs. 55  Lakhs. It is then the cheapest car you can get if you want to indulge in the feeling of driving without a roof with the wind hitting your hair. Hence, making it the most attractive package for customers looking for a convertible car in India.