Volkswagen reveals new 2012 Golf Cabriolet

After an 8 year absence from the marketplace. Volkswagen is bringing back the famed Golf Cabrio set to unveil at the Geneva Auto Show. No details on when the new Cabrio will hit the U.S. yet, but the car specs are very similar to the current 6th generation Golf/GTI with some cues taken from the GTI. Perhaps maybe the U.S. will see a GTI version? Who knows. The styling is crisp and fresh, but looks similar to the Eos in my opinion since the Golf has lost its trademark roll bar hoop. That said the top mechanism takes merely 9.5 seconds to drop and will fit flush into the body with the top of the roof acting as a boot. Probably most impressive is the fact that the new Golf Cabrio will be offered with diesel engine options as part of the six available choices.

Advance sales are set to begin tomorrow in Germany, but as we mentioned earlier, no mention of the U.S. market. It's questionable if we will get the Golf Cabrio because of the current Eos and the out going New Beetle convertible (no mention if the next Beetle will go topless). It may very well be possible that we won't see the Golf purely because of these two cars just as VW won't bring the Scirocco to the U.S. for fears of taking sales from the GTI. But then again, anything is possible.

Press Release:
Wolfsburg, 23 February 2011 - In its presentation of the new Golf Cabriolet at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen is writing a new chapter of a global success story. The four-seater has an innovative soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that opens the Golf’s top in just 9.5 seconds.

The new Volkswagen’s styling follows that of its hard-top three-door counterpart, but it shows a high level of independence with a new rear section, lower profile roof line and more swept-back angle of its front windscreen frame. The convertible’s image is especially dynamic when ordered with optional bi-xenon headlights. Always a standard feature: the LED rear lights like those of the GTI. Other standard safety features offering peace of mind are the automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags, side head/thorax airbags, knee airbag for the driver and ESP.

The new Golf is one of the quietest convertibles today. Its soothing quietness is attributable to the new soft top that was optimised in specific ways. It also has a standard hydraulic drive that opens the Golf’s top extremely quickly. The top can also be opened or closed during driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
Ideal for cruising with a convertible are the six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 77 kW / 105 PS to 155 kW / 210 PS. Four of the petrol engines (TSI) and one diesel (TDI) are available with the DSG dual-clutch gearbox; while three of the engines are available with energy-saving BlueMotion Technology. Just how efficiently the new Golf Cabriolet handles fuel is illustrated by the 1.6 TDI with 105 PS and BlueMotion Technology: It only consumes 4.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 117 g/km CO2).

In Germany, advance sales begin tomorrow with prices starting at 23.625,- Euros. Essentially, all of the features offered in the classic, hard top Golf are also available in the new Golf Cabriolet. The only feature that will definitely not be offered is a sunroof …

Source: Volkswagen

New: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers made the GTI to the world’s bestseller. Now the new GTI is at the ready: at the Paris Motor Show (4th to 19th October 2008) Volkswagen will be demonstrating the design study of the new Golf GTI at its world premiere.

The GTI suspension with a new electronic limited-slip diff (XDS) defines curves and traction in a completely new way. A GTI with a top speed of 240 km/h that with its 155 kW / 210 bhp strong turbocharged engine is even more fun and, on average, only uses 7.5 litres.

The sixth generation Golf GTI will go into series production in the spring of 2009 – as usual with a unique connection between sporty suspension and agile engine. The engine develops already at 1,800 rpm a maximum torque of 280 newton metres. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. A stand-off between wind resistance and output occurs only just at 240 km/h.

Lowered by 22 millimetres and equipped with a new sports suspension, the springs, shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bars of the design study have been completely reworked. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis control DCC feature will also be available for the future GTI.

"We wanted a purposefully clear GTI design. A car that has power but also style," summarises the Volkswagen AG's chief designer Walter de’Silva. The design study of the sixth generation presented in Paris blends in both style elements of the GTI icons. Details like the typical honeycombed radiator grill and the V-shaped bonnet, stretching over the head lights, contribute to the GTI V. The clean and horizontal structure clearly originates from the GTI I. Because of the styling as well as the underlining horizontal graphic of the front section the Golf GTI design study appears visually wider (1.78 meter), lower (1.47 meter) and more dynamic than any other car in its class.

VW Scirocco

For some reason, the Volkswagen Scirocco hasn't really blipped on my radar.

It's just one of those cars that's sort of passed me by - despite all the hype and nostalgic musings it's generated.

Maybe that's because the Iroc concept looked so brilliant, only for VW to lose their guts and dilute it into a softer, less edgy-looking production version.

Such gutlessness caused me to lose interest. What happened to that pointy, aggressive front-end? I wanted it back.

But, sat there in the BBC's secret underground layer (just off the A40 at White City), it looked bloody brilliant.

Pictures don't do this thing justice. In white, it looks properly cool, and the wheels are unlike anything on other 'normal' cars - they're more like the turbine-style jobs you get on an SLR.
And underneath all that, it's a Golf GTI. There are worse things to have as an alter-ego...

So it's quick. And stylish. Quick, stylish and utterly appealing. I want one.

Driving around west London, it got tonnes of attention. Maybe that's 'cos it's new, but the constant flicker of 'thumbs up' from pedestrians, cabbies and truckers would suggest people really like the look of it.

The only let down is the interior - it's boring. OK so I like the ribbed leather seats, and they're the only nod to the Scirocco of old.

But the rest of it is dull, and a bit safe in a very VW sort of way. The Iroc had all sorts of sculpted surfaces, bright splashes of colour and even a racing harness. Where's all that gone?

Probably in the same dustbin as the original front-end. So if you're planning on buying a Scirocco (which you should), my advice is to go find that bin, fish out the parts and graft them back on.

Source: Top Gear

2008 Volkswagen GTI W12

The Volkswagen GTI W12, is by far the best car Volkswagen has made. It is the widest GTI made, with the biggest engine. It comes with a V12 engine, but how could it fit into such a small car you might ask. Well it goes at the back of your head, instead of the passenger seats. This car has the looks the speed and it delivers what it promises.

Engine
Power bhp: 650
Torque lb-ft: 554
Type: Bi-Turbo W12

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top Speed: 202 mph

My Rating ****/*****

Essen 2007: Volkswagen Golf Variant Rave 270 Concept

Seems that Volkswagen is out to break all the rules saying that wagons aren't cool. Seems they are doing a pretty good job, as this is one hot little wagon.

What VW did was create a wagon that enhances the fun of the GTI and R32, while beating both with horsepower. The engine is a 2.0 Turbo derived from the GTI, with the horsepower bumped to 270hp. Followed up by the 4Motion all wheel drive system found in the R32 and a DSG transmission. 0-60 is a surprisingly quick 5.8 seconds.

The exterior has been completely redesigned. Volkswagen developed a new design line for all the add-on body parts. The bumpers, radiator grille, side skirts, taillights, headlamps, and even the mirrors were modified. This helps to set the Rave 270 apart from the crowd. The suspension was lowered 20 mm. To round out the package, 19 inch Zaragoza wheels were used.

Inside you will find a relatively stock interior. There are sport seat bearing the Volkswagen Racing "R" logo. The interior is also packed with 1,400 Watt stereo system to bump out your favorite techno music tracks. The 13 speakers are powered by three amplifiers, and 3 subwoofers. Two 12 inch monitors in the back as also supplied for visual entertainment.

The Rave 270 concept was built entirely in house at Volkswagen Individual GmbH. They have come out with some exciting concepts for the European market, and I wish we could get some of them here stateside.

Source: Volkswagen