The rear seatbacks in the new A3 cabriolet can be folded down.
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
