Spy photographers have spotted the upcoming A3 Cabrio on U.S. shores for the first time. The A3 Cabrio is expected to debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show, although a September introduction at the Frankfurt Auto Show is still possible.
The newest A3 is also reported to have significant styling changes, both front and rear. The front fascia is said to have a new hood, narrower headlights with a more imposing grill and a new lower spoiler. The new rear fascia will include A5-styled taillights.
The styling changes will help align the A3 with the newly introduced A5 coupe and the next-generation A4 sedan, which will show up at the Frankfurt auto show next month. The side profile should remain similar to that of the current A3, thanks to a sharply raked rear window. The soft-top, which is electrically operated, will fold flat behind the rear seats, revealing twin roll-over hoops.
The A3 was first offered in North America just two years ago in 2005. It has been available in Europe since the mid-1990s.
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08/27, 8:34 AM
posted by:
55amg
nice
08/27, 9:42 AM
posted by:
Kaizen
Looks really good. 10x better than the 3-series, even if it is a soft top.
08/27, 10:20 AM
posted by:
e46Ne90
borrrringggg…same xxxx over and over
08/27, 10:23 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
Love soft tops, hate hatchback convertibles, the 1-series cabrio is so much better proportioned. Wouldn’t kick it out of bed if it farted though.
08/27, 10:44 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
The Volkswagen Eos looks better for a car built on the same platform. The tail of the A3 cabrio is too stumpy.
08/27, 11:37 AM
posted by:
jJayC08
Sharp looking, but none the less boring. I agree with Madcapp, the Volkswagen Eos is a much better looking car. One of my friends owns one, and I was very impressed with the overall look of the car, really nice.
And man the A5 coupe looks nice, but there’s something about it that doesn’t seem right… I’m pretty sure it’s the roofline and low profile, usually Audis seem a little more stubby to me.
08/27, 12:43 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Don’t really care. The 1-series and new 3-series convertible both seem to be worth the extra cash if you want a convertible.
08/27, 3:34 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Sure the 1 and 3 series are nice. But you get stuck with runflats and no spare tire, idrive instead of straightforward touchscreen navigation, ergonomics that have nothing to do with the comprehensive driver oriented ****pit that made BMW the yardstick that it used to be. You don’t even get an oil dipstick on the engine of a BMW to double check the oil level sensor. BMW badly needs to stop letting gaywads in California design their cars (particularly the interiors and user interfaces), and get back to their roots.
08/27, 6:29 PM
posted by:
Tosta Mista
Yeah, they snatched the tail lights from the A5 and some styling from the next gen A4 so that when the new A3 comes out in the late 2008 (here in Europe) this one won’t look dated… Thus potential buyers won’t mind buying a vehicle with 2003 mechanics (except the 170hp TDI, FSI engines and the wonderful DSG ‘box). Question is: Why is the cabrio launched so late in the market=?
08/27, 6:46 PM
posted by:
Karkat
They had no intention of bringing the A3 cabrio here to the states until they found out BMW was gonna bring the 1 cabrio here. Of course you cant be left behind on something like this so poof you see it in testing here in your back yard. I had an A3, chiped and man what a fun little car that was. The only bad thing was it was FWD. You cant get turbo & Quattro which would have been perfect. The DSG tranny was and still is a dream tranny.
08/27, 7:59 PM
posted by:
Don
looks like they stole the tail lights off the 3 series coupe
08/28, 12:16 AM
posted by:
Deanster
Yeah, and a $10,000 premium over an already way overpriced A3 that’s essentially a gussied up Golf. No thanks, Audi can **** themselves on that one.
08/28, 1:07 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
Deanster hates the A3 soft-top (too exposed), he hates the Sony / Toyota wheelchair (no Haribo storage), but he’s fine with the Dodge Journey. I suppose that one has plenty of room for “treats” and versatile rear seating, perfect for those school-run woodland diversions…