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.

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...

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

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.

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...

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

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 ...

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER