3 times a cabriolet

IT'S longer, sleeker and, most importantly, stiffer.

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is now based on the Audi A3 Sedan and retains its fabric roof for that classic convertible look. The previous A3 Cab was derived from the A3 hatchback and therefore sported a truncated tail. But the new Cabriolet gets the longer rear deck of the sedan, thus ensuring that it has more streamlined proportions.

Overall, the new A3 Cabriolet is longer than the model it replaces (plus 183 mm to 4,421 mm) and wider (an extra 28 mm to 1,793 mm), with a 2,595 mm wheelbase that has been extended by 17 mm. Still, even though it is based on the Sedan, the Cabriolet has a shorter wheelbase than the four-door version - 42 mm less, to be exact - and one which is closer to the current three-door hatchback's. This shortened wheelbase is due to a combination of design and packaging requirements, but it also results in increased body rigidity, which was an issue with the earlier Cabriolet.