Audi S3 Cabriolet 2014 Review

Convertible cars have always focussed on fun, even if it meant sacrificing performance and practicality. The new Audi S3 Cabriolet is no different -- it's got less boot space than the sedan and isn't quite as rigid -- but the compromises have become fewer and farer between with the Audi S3 Cabriolet, making it a tantalising proposition.

Boot space is 320 litres, 70 litres less than the S3 sedan, although it drops to 280 litres when the car's folding fabric roof is stowed, which is enough for small suit case or a couple of lap top bags. But the rear seats can now be folded down allowing more than double the cargo room (680 litres), so it's not completely useless as a cargo carrier.

The sporty four-seater convertible's roof opens and closes electrically at the touch of a button, taking 18 seconds, and can be operated at speeds of up to 50km/h. It keeps a wind, snow and rain out, and though the lack of a fixed roof means the body isn't as rigid, the car is by no means a bendy Wendy.

But it's when the roof drops that the car really entertains as the acoustics of the engine come to the fore and the feel of the wind in your face makes you feel alive.

Especially memorable is the way the 2.0-litre turbo engine growls between gear shifts as the twin-clutch transmission snaps to attention, and the force with which it accelerates.

Nail the throttle and the juiced-up four pumps out a hefty 221kW and 380Nm, enough to see it accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds. It feels fast, very fast, transferring power to the ground with impressive efficiency.

It builds up enough thurst to squeeze driver and occupants into their soft leather seats easily as G-forces increase, the engine propelling the car's not insignificant 1620kg mass smoothly but strongly. It has an electronically limited top whack of 250km/h.

Even on snow covered roads the S3 drop-top is a tear-away, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system divvying up the torque between front and rear wheels to maintain optimum acceleration most of the time. It got twitchy now and then on the snow-covered roads when abruptly opening the taps, but generally grip was impressive.

Although the car on test generates 221kW, Australian models will be detuned to 206kW. This is to meet hot climate conditions says Audi.

Maximum torque of 380Nm will be maintained, though Audi says Australian-delivered S3 Cabriolets will be a tad slower, completing the 0-100km/h dash in 5.5 seconds, down from 5.4.

We didn't drive the S3 Cabriolet extensively, roughly 80km on mainly straight roads, so it's difficult to report on its handling dynamics, but the steering felt communicative and body rigidity certainly didn't feel sloppy. It felt predictable and easy to handle despite the large reserves of power and if the regular A3 Cabriolet is anything to go it should be a wieldy little number.

One thing we could gauge from our brief drive was ride quality, which was surprisingly good. The car glided smoothly over icy ructions and bumps when the suspension was set to comfort mode, ensuring its cruising credentials.

Specifications are yet to be announced for local versions of the car, but Audi Australia says to expect a "high standard of specification, befitting an Audi 'S' model".

The car we drove was maxxed out with lots of cool toys, from the pop-up colour screen with squiggle-pad MMI interface and Google maps-enhanced satellite navigation, to the thumping Bang and Olufsen stereo, replacing the Bose systems of yore.

Interior decor is equal parts classy and sporty thanks acres of leather, metal accented circular ventilation outlets and overt red highlights and stitching on the seats and steering wheel.

Things like the LED turbo boost gauge (which maxes out VERY quickly) at the bottom of the rev gauge is a neat touch, as are heated leather sports seats with neck-warming ventilation systems built into the headrests. The seats also provided good body support and were effective at keeping bodies warm.

Indeed, the ultimate test of any convertible is how it makes you feel when driving with the top dropped, and the S3 Cabriolet gets a big thumbs-up.

Its arresting performance is breath-taking for such a small vehicle, and there's something to be said about a car that can keep its occupants comfortable and relaxed, top down, when it's 10 degrees below zero and snowing.

Arriving to Australia in October 2014 -- just in time for the sunny season -- for around $75,000, this vehicle has the potential to be a sleeper hit for the luxury German brand.

We'll have to wait until we drive the Audi S3 Cabriolet on defrosted curving local roads (and without studded tyres) before we can report on the car's dynamic abilities, but it's clear from this brief taste test that the car is a huge amount of fun. And for a convertible, that's half the battle won right there.

2014 Audi S3 Cabriolet pricing and specifications:
Price: $75,000 (approx.)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/380Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 165g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP