2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Volkswagen presented one of the first signs of summer at the Geneva Motor Show, the new 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. The four-seater has a stylish soft top roof and its electro-hydraulic drive is a standard feature. The Golf’s soft top opens in just 9.5 seconds; it may even be opened while driving up to a speed of 30 km/h.

When the top is up, this Volkswagen is one of the quietest convertibles. As can be expected in any 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet, the new convertible also embodies the highest levels of quality and safety. An automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags and side curtain head/thorax airbags, a knee airbag on the driver’s side and ESP are all standard.

2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Ideal for cruising in a convertible are the six direct-injection turbocharged engines with a power range from 77 kW / 105 PS to 155 kW / 210 PS. Also fun to drive are the fast and efficiently operating high-tech dual-clutch gearboxes (DSG) that are available with four of the engines. There will be three petrol engines (TSI) and a diesel (TDI) with the energy-saving BlueMotion Technology modifications (battery regeneration and Stop/Start system). Just how efficiently the new Volkswagen handles its fuel is illustrated by the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDI with 105 diesel PS and BlueMotion Technology; its combined fuel consumption is just 4.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 117 g/km CO2). An overview of all engine versions debuting in the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet in 2011:

1.2 TSI – 77 kW / 105 PS (6-speed)
1.4 TSI – 90 kW / 122 PS (6-speed, optional 7-speed DSG)
1.4 TSI – 118 kW / 160 PS (6-speed, optional 7-speed DSG)
2.0 TSI – 155 kW / 210 PS (6-speed DSG)
1.6 TDI – 77 kW / 105 PS (5-speed)
2.0 TDI – 103 kW / 140 PS (6-speed, optional 6-speed DSG)

Open-air automobiles have never been niche models at Volkswagen. The Beetle Cabriolet, arguably the first car in the world to transcend class boundaries, was made a cult car by over 330,000 buyers. Its successor – the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet – was even more popular and was chosen by over 684,000 drivers. This was followed by debuts of the New Beetle convertible and the Eos; both of these models became bestsellers that have long surpassed the hundred thousand mark. The fact is that with about 1.42 million convertibles sold, Volkswagen is one of the most successful producers of convertibles in the world.

In addition, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is very quiet. This soothingly quiet ride is largely attributable to advanced development of the fabric roof as well as new window and door seals. Wind noises in the high frequency range above 5,000 Hz are perceived as especially annoying, since they make it difficult to have a conversation when driving (articulation index). Volkswagen specifically studied this articulation index and evaluated experience in other vehicles. The results: the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet sets new standards for interior acoustics in convertibles.

The soft top itself consists of a linkage and exterior skin. Perfection in the details: the development team designed the joining longitudinal seams of the exterior skin fabrics (centre panel and two side panels) such that they serve as an additional drip rail. The heated rear windscreen is integrated in the soft top with high-frequency welding. When the top is down, the upper side of the “leading edge” (the soft top segment that directly connects to the windscreen frame) covers the entire top surface of the roof storage box. This eliminates the need for a separate cover. The results: the standard electro-hydraulic soft top opens faster (9.5 seconds) and does not need to descend as deeply into the larger bootspace.

Like on the VW Eos, the soft top is operated via a central switch on the centre console. Opening and closing is even possible when driving – at speeds up to 30 km/h.

Essentially, all of the features offered in the classic, hard top Golf are also available in the new 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. Other versions in preparation are the especially sophisticated “Exclusive” equipment options that Volkswagen R GmbH offers for other brand models as well. The only feature that will definitely not be offered is a sunroof