Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A lot can happen in nine seconds. It's the time it took Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay to score a goal against Real Madrid in the 2007 UEFA Champion's League.
It's the time it took Usain Bolt to run 100m in New York in May.
It's the time it took Harris Chan to break the world record for doing the Rubik's cube earlier this year.
More importantly, it's the time it takes the fabric roof to fold neatly into the boot of Audi's sporty new compact cabriolet.
That's quite a jump in the record stakes. It takes the BMW 1 Series convertible a gasping and red-faced 22 seconds to convert - if that's the right word. The Astra Twin Top limps in at 30 seconds, while the Ford Focus CC takes a semi-comatose 35.
You could open and shut the roof of the A3 almost four times in the aeon of finger-drumming boredom the Ford takes.
The latter two are folding hard tops rather than cloth tops, which give you the flexibility of an all-weather saloon and a convertible, but I've always found the lack of boot space, the swollen rear end, the cramped back seats and the complexity of the opening mechanisms give you all the flexibility of a sergeant major at a passing-out ceremony.
The A3 can also cleverly open and shut its roof at speeds of up to 29kph. Many convertibles can do it at a crawl; plenty can only do it at a standstill. It may seem an unnecessary perk, but it's surprising how useful it is, especially in Manama.
On the basic model, the roof is only semi-automatic, you have to clamp and unclamp it yourself, which is only really a problem if you have just had a set of 8cm false nails stuck on.
But the model I drove was fully automatic, so all you have to do is concentrate on not decapitating the kids.
This new A3 will only confirm Audi's status.
From the lush interior's tactile surfaces to the emotive, sophisticated design and the exhilarating drive, Audi ensures you feel you are in the poshest of company.
There are four engine options - two variants of the FSi petrol and two direct-injection turbo diesels - and they all drive the front wheels. The Sport version with the 2-litre 200bhp engine will do 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 230kph.
So is the A3 cab for you? It is, Audi believes, if you are middle-aged, have children under 18, are more than likely a woman and have a high level of education and income and other cars within the household.
