Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet is go
9.5 seconds for Volkswagen's drop-top GTI to flip its lid is 2.2 seconds more than the 0-100 timeRumour had it that the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R Cabriolet models that broke cover at the 2011 Worthersee celebration in Austria would eventually become a reality.
One year later and the production version of the VW Golf GTI Cabriolet has emerged on the shores of lake Worthersee, complete with all the trademark GTI trimmings - sports body kit, lower ride height, alloy pedals, red brake calipers, 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and of course those iconic alloy wheels.
Expected to be the last variant of the sixth generation Golf before an all-new Golf VII arrives, it would be the jewel in the Golf's crown if it arrived locally.
Essentially a range-topping version of the Golf Cabrio, the GTI Cabriolet is powered by the tried-and-tested 2.0-litre turbo intercooled four-cylinder petrol, outputting 155kW/280Nm.
Hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG), the VW Golf GTI Cabrio dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds, which is not as rapid as the hot hatch's 6.9 seconds, due to the increased weight brought about by the reinforcement of the doors, underbody and A-pillars.
Volkswagen says fuel consumption is rated at 7.6L/100km, the same as the hatchback model. Boot space is 250 litres and the rear seats can be folded down to make way for more space. The cloth roof takes 9.5 seconds to open or close fully, and can be operated at speeds of up to 30km/h. The fabric roof has also been speed tested, and can withstand the car's maximum velocity of 237km/h.
At last count the Volkswagen Golf Cabrio was the fourth highest selling vehicle in the 'sports' segment in Australia for the first four months of 2012. With 311 sales it claimed 7.1 per cent of the market. The Hyundai Veloster was the segment leader with 1050 sales or 24 per cent of the market, while the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible took up the second and third spots respectively.
The Golf GTI Cabrio is built in right-hand drive for the UK market but Volkswagen Australia has not confirmed whether the new model is coming to Australia. However a spokesperson for the company says the GTI Cabrio is under consideration for a local launch.
Photos of Worthersee Festival at motoring.com.au
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