Road Test: Audi A3 1.8 T FSI 2dr

After a few miles in the new A3 Cabrio, I'm moaning to myself that it isn't as sharp and involving to steer as the rather excellent current-generation A3 hatchback. But really I ought to get over myself. The old A3 wasn't a very sharp car to drive, so when they did a cabrio version, its further dose of vagueness didn't matter. We enjoyed it for what it was - a pert and well-made little cruiser. So in appraising this one, we need to realise it's better in every way than the old one, a car we quite liked. If it doesn't drive quite as sensitively as the new hatch, well, it's still acceptable for what it is.

Remember, the new MQB-based A3 range isn't straightforward - the three-door has a shorter wheelbase than the five-door and saloon, and the saloon has more rear overhang too. The new Cabrio is another combo again: the short wheelbase but the long overhang. In other words, priority goes to torsional stiffness and boot space, but the backseats are pretty cramped. Though longer than the old Cabrio, it's up to 60kg lighter, because all A3s have a fair bit of aluminium in them now.

As usual, Audi glammed-up the jewellery. The windscreen frame is aluminium, the lights twinkly, the optional B&O speakers framed in LED swooshes. Roof up, your thermal and acoustic insulation from the rude world outside is to all intents and purposes as good as the hatch. Roof down, at motorway speed, you'll want the blocker net raised (which proscribes the rear seats) and the windows up, or it gets blustery. The rest of the time, it's fine with everything lowered. Options include warm-air neck blowers beneath the headrests. Come a cloudburst, the roof shuts itself in 18 seconds, but if the lights go green in the meantime, it'll keep closing up to 30mph - nothing new, but nice to have.

Generally, the body is rigid except over despicable bumps. Any lack of stiffness versus the hatch shows mostly as a want of feel in the steering. Otherwise, it drives neatly. The 1.8 petrol gives you warm-hatch performance without stressing the chassis and still sounds suitably hushed. The keen little 140 TFSI will probably be plenty, is the lowest company-car tax version in the range, and starts under £26k. Fine, because the diesel version is grumbly with the roof down.