If you think an Audi A3 convertible is a hairdresser's car, here's a version that makes a mess of any salon sculpture. The range-topping S3 Cabriolet brings the full-on S engine and quattro all-wheel drive.
PRICE / FEATURES
Due here in October, a few months after the standard A3 drop-top, its pricing will have eyebrows heading toward the hair line - try $75,000. Audi's habit is to bundle options so as to make selection easier and slightly less expensive.
Various packages will include 18-inch alloys, drive select system with optional magnetic ride control, variable-ratio steering though a sports wheel, xenon lights and a pop-up infotainment screen. The roof's a softie, though alloy-framed and foam-insulated cloth roof that takes 18 seconds to open or close and is operable up to 50km/h.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
The S3 droptop gets the same 2.0-litre turbo that's powering the Sportback and will appear soon ion sedan shape, with direct and indirect fuel injection feeding the turbocharged intercooler four-cylinder, which here will be detuned (due to climate, says Audi) to 206kW/380Nm.
The alloy powerplant's outputs go to ground via quattro all-wheel drive, which has its clutch pack at the rear for more even weight distribution and is assisted by torque-vectoring brake inputs on the front wheels.
DESIGN
Sitting 25mm lower than the standard A3 cabriolet, the S model has a more purposeful stance, getting the more aggressive honeycomb grille and air intakes, as well as the alloy trim extras on the windscreen pillars and mirrors.
Luggage space is at a premium — measuring somewhere between 250L and 300L depending on the position of the roof. As crash tests go, Audis perform pretty well, so expect the five- star rankings to continue.
DRIVING
A cabriolet is not first choice of vehicle when the ambient temperature display — we're on a track graded on ice — is well into the minus range. However, even when the Swedish weather outside is indeed frightful, the cabin is anything but, kept in check by climate control and the well-insulated cloth roof.
Taking studded ice-driving tyres into account, the cabin noise isn't atrocious and neither is the ride quality, something that seems to be on the improve in Audis. It's difficult to form a definitive judgement on handling when the surface is a cocktail of snow and ice, but drifts of snow and other alteration to the road surface fail to impede or annoy the S3.
VERDICT
A more aggressive look and the punchy powerplant widens its appeal beyond professional scissor-wielders.
Audi S3 Cabriolet
Price: from $75,000
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 206kW/380Nm
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch auto; AWD
Thirst: 7.1L/100km, 95 RON
Audi S3 2014: 2.0 TFSI Quattro
| Engine Type | Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.1L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 4 |
| Price From | $23,210 - $28,600 |
Pricing Guides
Range and Specs
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TFSI Quattro | 2.0L, Premium Unleaded Petrol, 6 SPEED DIRECT SHIFT | $23,210 - $28,600 |
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