Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet | A Cabriolet Returns After a Decade

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet | Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

The Cabriolet Returns After 10 Years

Volkswagen Group Japan announced that it will add the "Golf Cabriolet," a new derivative of the Golf featuring a soft-top open body that marks its return after 10 years, and release it on October 1st.

By Masao Oh

A More Sporty Design

From the Beetle era, open-top models have held an important position for Volkswagen. The Golf, successor to the Beetle, also appeared in 1979 based on the Golf I. Even as the base Golf entered its second generation, it was sold under the name "Classic" and achieved worldwide sales of approximately 390,000 units, making it a major hit as a convertible.

Subsequently, the second generation, based on the Golf III, debuted in 1993. In 1997, the third generation was released, an improved version of the second generation that incorporated design elements from the Golf IV. With cumulative sales exceeding 680,000 units since the first generation, it was popular in Japan as well, but sales ended in 2002.

After that, Volkswagen released the Eos, based on the Passat, featuring a retractable hardtop body, leading to rumors that a soft-top Golf Cabriolet would not be released.

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The Third-Generation Golf Cabriolet

However, approximately 10 years after the discontinuation of the third generation, the Golf Cabriolet is making a comeback.

Regarding styling, compared to the Golf VI on which it is based, the dimensions alone—50mm longer, 10mm narrower, and 55mm lower—suggest a sportier exterior design. Furthermore, while previous Golf Cabriolets were characterized by a gently sloped A-pillar and a relatively upright windshield, this fourth-generation Cabriolet features a significantly steeper A-pillar.

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Rollover Protection System

Occupant Protection with the Latest Rollover Protection System

The rear window's slope is also more reclined than ever before when the soft top is closed. The elimination of the roll bar is also a noteworthy point, visually contributing to a sportier atmosphere. However, the absence of a roll bar does not compromise safety. The latest rollover protection system automatically deploys aluminum bars from behind the rear headrests within 0.25 seconds in the event of a rollover, protecting occupants along with the reinforced front windshield frame. Furthermore, it comes standard with five airbags, including side airbags with head protection specifically developed for the Cabriolet, and ESP. It is also noteworthy that it has achieved the highest Euro NCAP rating of five stars, despite being an open-top model.

Regarding the soft top, while the previous model required manual unlocking of the roof, the new model features a full automatic system. Additionally, the top can be opened or closed while driving at speeds up to 30 km/h, a first for the Golf Cabriolet. The opening and closing times are also impressively fast for a modern soft top, at 9.5 seconds for opening and 11 seconds for closing.

Adopting a Downsizing Concept with a 1.4-Liter Engine

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And the engine. When the Golf Cabriolet disappeared from catalogs 10 years ago, the Golf lineup included the R32, equipped with a 3.2-liter narrow-angle V6 unit, indicating a trend towards larger engines as well as bodies. However, the new Golf Cabriolet features a 1.4-liter engine, making it the smallest displacement of any Cabriolet to date. Of course, it's not simply a smaller displacement; it follows Volkswagen's recent downsizing concept formula of small displacement plus forced induction. The TSI unit employed is a direct-injection engine boosted by both a turbocharger and a supercharger.

Enhanced Features Unique to the Cabriolet

Paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission, it achieves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, while realizing fuel economy of 15.4 km/ℓ in the 10-15 mode and CO2 emissions of 151 g/km. It qualifies for eco-car tax reductions (50% reduction).

Furthermore, with a focus on the fashionability unique to a cabriolet, it offers four interior leather colors and five exterior paint options. By employing cool leather for the seats and steering wheel, which reflects infrared rays to suppress the rise in seat surface temperature during summer, it reduces temperature increases by up to 23°C compared to conventional models, demonstrating thoughtful consideration unique to a cabriolet.