- VW revives the Golf Cabriolet — for Europe only.
- The new soft-top Golf isn't slated for the American market, VW tells Inside Line.
- U.S. customers instead will get a redesigned Eos and a new Beetle Cabrio.
GENEVA — Volkswagen is reviving the Golf Cabriolet — apparently for Europe only. The new soft-top Golf, the first since 2002, will be publicly unveiled next week at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.
A spokesperson for VW of America on Wednesday told Inside Line that the Golf Cabrio "is not slated to come to the U.S. We're focused on our all-new 2012 Eos and an upcoming Beetle Cabrio for the U.S. market."
Eight inches shorter than the Eos, the latest iteration of the two-door four-passenger Golf Cabrio features a power-operated fabric top with a heated rear window. The top takes 9.5 seconds to lower, according to VW, and can be operated at speeds up to 18 mph.
The cabin mirrors that of the Golf hatchback, as does much of the exterior sheet metal. Safety features on the Golf Cabrio include an active roll-over protection system, ABS, ESP, airbags all round and a driver's knee airbag.
When the car goes on sale this summer, European customers will be able to choose from four-cylinder gasoline and turbodiesel units, ranging in output from 104 to 158 horsepower. A range-topping 208-hp 2.0-liter direct-injection gasoline engine will be added later in the model year.
Inside Line says: We think there's still a market in the States for the Golf Cabrio, but VW is not convinced. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
micanichi says:
05:46 PM, 04/08/2011
Volkswagen wouldn't know what to do with America if it hit them over the head.
cincycubfan23 says:
06:23 PM, 03/15/2011
As a longtime VW driver, I was surprised that my reaction was completely......meh. Maybe it'll grow on me, but the only reason I'd currently miss this is the TDI / drop top combo. Hopefully that'll be offered via the new new Beetle.
Meanwhile...Scirocco. US. NOW!!!! And while I'm at it...I repeat: Get rid of the damned Routan. What an insult.
philaburb says:
08:31 AM, 03/02/2011
I think that this is much more appealing than the Eos!
designsells says:
12:27 PM, 02/24/2011
VW is gaining on Honda in the most unexciting car design in the market. I agree with "jscion says", "who the hell buys the Eos?"
designsells says:
12:24 PM, 02/24/2011
The low end Eos opens at $33,000. The new Camaro convertible opens at $30,000.
That means that being called a douch-bag costs will cost at minimum $3000 more than being called a cool guy.
dgmail says:
02:00 AM, 02/24/2011
You know, when I was at college, everyone HAD to have a VW of some sort. The campus was littered with them. None of them were great.
When we all graduated, the same people bought new ones. At my five year reunion, nobody still had one due to warranty and dealer issues.
Thats my take.
i_love_cars_06 says:
07:30 PM, 02/23/2011
The Audi A3 Cabrio, for the people...
jscion says:
04:12 PM, 02/23/2011
You've got to be kidding me!!! Who the hell even buys the EOS?!?!? People bought the Golf/Rabbit Cabrio!!! BRING IT BACK!!!!! (pounding with my fists)
ttbuyer says:
04:04 PM, 02/23/2011
Dump the pathetic EOS and bring this.
cure07x says:
03:18 PM, 02/23/2011
I think there is a market for this in the U.S., if anything it can offer an alternative for all the high school girls first car (other than the beetle). I would never buy this bc i am addicted to GMs ls series v8s but for the bimbo girl this would be perfect.