A3/S3/RS3 Audi A3 Cabrio (Info, spy pics & impressions)

[Yperion]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

And why A3 cabrio is a response to 1 series cabrio and not the other way around?
A3 cabrio has been given the green light for production at least 3 years ago the same time if not earlier than 1 series cabrio.

BMW is following closely Audi's plans for expansion , when BMW heard that the Q3/Cross coupe is heading for production they started working on their own compact SUV , the X1. Even RFK is based on the same fundamentals with Audi's Roadjet and Avantissimo concepts.

BMW executives/managers are free to develop their own propaganda but that doesn't mean that we have to believe it.

 

[SCOTT27]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

When the BMW 1er was conceived by the design team every segment was taken into consideration as well as the Hatches , The Coupe a sedan , roadster , Touring even an X model emerged from the creative design process. The first 1er to be developed was the CS1 Concept the cabrio in 2001.

The sedan and Touring were iced simply because of their close comfort to BMW's profit making 3er sedan and Touring models especially in Europe were lower engined models completely dominate the D-segment in many countries.

Next up was the X1 and Z2 Roadster - again unknown quantity with great risk , although success of current car has led to rebirth in the next generation. That leaves Coupe and Cabrio initially to be called 2er but now arrive this year following the successful establishment period of the current
1er .

Audi have not even brought anything close to the RFK.

We know what Audi do because they do exactly what we do...

 

[SCOTT27]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

I think we better close this discussion on going off topic on both brands before we become : Optimus Prime V's Megatron.

 

[Yperion]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

We know what Audi do because they do exactly what we do...

And how does Audi know what BMW is going to do next? Industrial espionage?

Compact cabriolets with fabric roof were in the market long ago , Golf III cabrio for example.

Anyway this is off topic. Continue with the A3 cabrio everyone please.

 

[ghusheshe]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

We know what Audi do because they do exactly what we do...[/quote]

Scott that is very similar to what Norbert Reithofer, BMW's CEO said at the Detroit Motor show "There is one car company in Germany that we know what they will do because they do exactly what we are doing. I will not mention the name..".

Very interesting indeed.. sorry for being off topic...

 

[Yperion]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.

Scott that is very similar to what Norbert Reithofer, BMW's CEO said at the Detroit Motor show "There is one car company in Germany that we know what they will do because they do exactly what we are doing. I will not mention the name..".

I wonder what he means by "exactly what we are doing" , i hope Audi doesn't hire Bangle for head designer.

 

[EnI]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio confirmed for production.



First spy shot? Source: Autozeitung

Looks like a drawing though ...

Yet the rear lights of this "prototype" looks very similar to (surprise, surprise) Huckfeldt's impression:



Very A5-ish ...

 

[RICHBOY]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

 

[Bartek S.]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

Hungary Plant To Build Audi A3 Cabriolet.
http://www.autozeitung.de/online/render.php?render=0062473&size=http://www.autozeitung.de/online/render.php?render=0062471&size=
Audi chairman Rupert Stadler, has announced that the company’s new A3 Cabriolet will be built at its plant in Győr, western Hungary.
“The Győr site has excelled in the production of premium vehicles during recent years … therefore it is optimally suited for the assembly of a new model alongside the Audi TT Coupe and the TT Roadster,” Audi AG said in a statement.
“The market launch of the A3 Cabriolet is scheduled for next year, just in time for the start of the convertible season,” Stadler told a news conference. He declined to elaborate on planned output figures, but said production of the new car in Hungary was another step towards hitting Audi’s target of making 1.5 million cars a year on the group level by 2015.

 

[Bartek S.]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

http://images.autostrassenverkehr.de/hps/img/hxmedia/mpsasv/2007/07/6UpVQjJjzpE_Mc_478x.jpg
Nachrichten - Audi A1, Audi A3 Cabrio, Audi A5 Sportback, Audi A7 - AUTOStrassenverkehr

 

[Merc1]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

I think this is a pretty smart strategy on the part of Audi. Kill the A4 Cabrio and replace it with cheaper and more expensive alternatives, the A3 and A5. The A3 will hopefully be a good deal less expensive than the A4 Cabrio was and of course the A5 will compete within that narrow space between the CLK Cabrio and 6-Series Cabrio, drawing buyers from both. Pretty clever IMO.

M

 

[Yperion]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

The A3 cabrio will be based on the next gen A3 so the lights will be similar to the Cross Coupe concept:

 

[Audi69]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

I really hope they are ,I really like the lights on the Cross Coupe! However I don't think they will when the A3 Cabrio is due for release next Autumn/Fall. I hope I am wrong as this is a car I'm considering buying. Audi have stated that they want customers to be able to diversify more clearly between different Audi models as most Audis look the same from the front to the general public

 

[klier]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions).

I think this is a pretty smart strategy on the part of Audi. Kill the A4 Cabrio and replace it with cheaper and more expensive alternatives, the A3 and A5.

M

We will just have to wait and see how that'll turn out.
For example, the past with Peugeot:

They had the 205, one of the best selling cars of all time. They thought to be smart by replacing the 205 with a more expensive, bigger model (306), and a smaller, cheaper model (106). Combined, they sold less than the 205, and later they came up with the 206 (now 207)

Now I will not say Audi is like Peugeot, but this thing can swimg both ways maybe...

 

[Bartek S.]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions)

Audi A3 Cabrio: Not coming to the US!

Sad news here for cabrio lovers in the US, the Audi A3 convertible will not make it over there!

There's no secret that Audi plans an A3 Cabriolet to slot below the A4 soon-to-be-A5 Cabriolet. Audi AG boss Rupert Stadler has even confirmed that the car will be built alongside the TT at the company's Hungary plant. Unfortunately, a top source at Audi of America has confirmed to us that the soft top will not come to the USA.​

Why not? Our sources say the car shares too much with the three-door A3, and that the 3-door was never developed for US sale. There wasn't a business case for changing it to be eligible for the North American market apparently.​

Audi A3 Cabrio: Not coming to the US! - The German Car Blog

 

[Merc1]

Re: Audi A3 Cabrio (incl. Spy pics & Impressions)

Another goofy VW-empire debacle if this is true. Why the hell wouldn't you make every single car you build with the U.S. in mind when the U.S. market is the key to your world domination plan? If the A3 hatch can be sold here then so should the cabrio! Duh. Hello doesn't Audi see BMW gearing up for a 1-Series push here in coupe/cabrio and even sedan form?

M

 

[VW Golf TDI]

I found these pictures.

 

[Centurion]

It looks like the car will be based on the new A3.

 

[Iceman]

It looks like the car will be based on the new A3.

Yes, the A3 Cabrio will be the first in line based on the new floorplan.
Also used for the VW Eos and new Passat.

Hans.

 

[Bartek S.]