A3/S3/RS3 Audi A3 Cabrio (Info, spy pics & impressions)
- Thread starter Yperion
- Start date
The Audi A3 is a small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by Audi AG since September 1996. The first two generations of the Audi A3 were based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, while the third and fourth generations use the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Why?
Same grille, almost same rectangular headlights (especially now when every model is slowly but persistently getting that L-shaped LED strip daytime driving lights), and now even the almost identical tail lights.
What about Q5, A6 LCI & new A8? Also cloned?
I really don't get it! BMW was heavily criticized for offering "same sausage in different lengths" designs in the past, and I'm sure Audi will have the same problem very soon. The problem escalates when you have more than one Audi in a garage - when eg. your A8 looks almost like wife's A6, son's A4 / A5, and daughter's A3, and even like grandma / grandpa Q7 or Q5. You become a bit frustrated. And then you thank God for TT & R8.
I know family resemblance is good for brand image, but cloning is a bit too much!
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Well said, Eni...
Really. IMO trapezoid single grille, L-shaped front LED strips, rear LED "ring" graphics in tail lights, some common cues in exterior design (eg. similar primary or secondary character side line) & interior design (eg. the theme) are more than enough for family resemblance.
Tail light & headlight cluster design, size & variations of trapezoid grille, rear (incl. boot lid), hood, bumpers - that could be a lot more different.
My 2 cents.
PanterroR
Lap Time Luminary
If i had all those Audis in my garage i seriously wouldn't care.
I prefer my A4 to look like the A3 that to look like it came from another carmaker.
Remember that 3 series was criticised by many journalists that it looks like a Japanese car from the rear.
Your arguments suck, mate...
EnI
Piston Pioneer
List me a single model with contemporary BMW design that hasn't been criticized by press.
Either journalists are too cocky, or people just love buying "ugly" or "strange" cars. Guess which claim is true.
I don't think the final car will look like this. This shape is too hatch back like. I was under the impression that the the new A3 would gain in size due to the A5 Cabrio replacement for the A4 Cabrio. This leaves room for the A3 to get bigger. It's difficult to see from the last picture where the roof will go. I think the final product will have more of a boot like the current A4 Cabrio an dmore modern styling.
I'm also hoping that Audi will chrome out the A pilar again like with the A4 cabrio instead of it being black as in the photo.
The new A4s rear lights will be different to A5s. Expect the A4s rear lights to be LEDs. Two red squares for each side.
You guys should be more positive. This car will not be available until late next year so a lot of development is still to be made before the final product is ready.
Audi won't let us down!
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Well with the soon absence of the A4 Cabrio the logical step is a slightly bigger A3 Cabrio.
New A5 Cabrio is in a slightly higher segment than the current A4 Cabrio in terms of size, class, price and competition.
However the possibiblity exists that the A3 may remain hatch back like to prevent eating in to sales of the A5 Cabrio
New A5 Cabrio is in a slightly higher segment than the current A4 Cabrio in terms of size, class, price and competition.
However the possibiblity exists that the A3 may remain hatch back like to prevent eating in to sales of the A5 Cabrio
Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
The BMW bagde plays it's role too for many people.
the same goes for Mb and Audi and porsche too
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
As all ways cars increase in size so the A3 will gain a few centimeters here and there just like any other car.
The A5 cab will be no different from the A4 cab. Just a different name, refreshed designed and slightly different size. The same way the E92 cab looks is a bit larger, a tiny bit more expensive.
A5 cab = new A4 cab
The A4 cab is actually priced at the same level as it's BMW counter part. Simply put nothing has really changed beside the fact that there now is hard top version of the A4.
Audi is just offering the A3 cab as a small and slightly more affordable city cab unlike the 3er cab which is a pricey boulevard cruiser.
PanterroR
Lap Time Luminary
EnI
Piston Pioneer
@Audi 69: you are looking at the final shape of A3 cabrio here. Add some nice alu rims, remove the camo tape from A-pillars to reveal the crome ... and: voila!
Have you seen this pic: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/1176016726_7691c0b792_b.jpg
Finished production-ready A3 cabrio!
Do not expect any design changes!
@Yannis: Ehh ... Do you really think people are buying "ugly" cars? I know many BMW owners who have bought current BMWs FOR their design, not despite the design. Yes, some BMW traditional buyers hate the new designs, but many new ones came in - especially due design! Yes, badge counts, but so does design ... No one buys an ugly car! Maybe some are thinking: "OK, I like Audi design better, but will buy a BMW anyway." But that doesn't mean BMW designs are ugly.
So, when you pick a product by your choices that automatically makes other products ugly?
Today the customers have numerous choices, and sometimes the differences between products are minimal, so the decision what to buy is sometimes very difficult.
But again: no one would buy an ugly product.
@Luwalira: Note that 1er cabrio is coming in the spring 2008!
Have you seen this pic: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/1176016726_7691c0b792_b.jpg
Finished production-ready A3 cabrio!
Do not expect any design changes!
@Yannis: Ehh ... Do you really think people are buying "ugly" cars? I know many BMW owners who have bought current BMWs FOR their design, not despite the design. Yes, some BMW traditional buyers hate the new designs, but many new ones came in - especially due design! Yes, badge counts, but so does design ... No one buys an ugly car! Maybe some are thinking: "OK, I like Audi design better, but will buy a BMW anyway." But that doesn't mean BMW designs are ugly.
So, when you pick a product by your choices that automatically makes other products ugly? Today the customers have numerous choices, and sometimes the differences between products are minimal, so the decision what to buy is sometimes very difficult.
But again: no one would buy an ugly product.
@Luwalira: Note that 1er cabrio is coming in the spring 2008!
Similar threads
Audi
Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles
headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the
Volkswagen Group, the company’s origins date back to the early 20th
century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded
by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW
and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932.
The modern Audi era began in the 1960s, when Volkswagen acquired Auto
Union from Daimler-Benz, and merged it with NSU Motorenwerke in 1969.
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
Official website: Audi (Global), Audi (USA)
