Following its Geneva show world premiere in March, Volkswagen has now released a comprehensive photo gallery of its new Golf Cabriolet. Featuring a fully automatic soft top that retracts in 9 seconds and up to speeds of 30 km/h (18.6 mph), the Golf Cabriolet continues the tradition of its three predecessors, produced between 1979 and 2002 in over 680,000 units.

Unlike previous models, however, the new Golf Cabriolet has no visible roll bar which has been replaced by a rollover protection system that deploys in fractions of a second. Standard safety equipment also includes front and side curtain head/thorax airbags, a knee airbag for the driver and ESP.

With 250 liters of boot space when the top is down and a split folding rear bench, the Golf Cabriolet promises to be one of the most practical compact convertibles in the segment. The 4.25-meter long, 1.78-meter wide and 1.42-meter tall Golf Cabriolet will be sold in Europe in one equipment line, just like the Eos, Passat CC, Touareg and Phaeton. Customers can add various option packs (Performance, Design & Style, Comfort, Technology) and choose from 9 exterior colors, 9 upholstery styles and colors, plus 50 individual options.

Standard features include the fully automatic soft top, air conditioning, front seats with Easy Entry function, electric windows and interior accents in “Matt Chrome.” The car will be offered with a choice of six turbo direct-injection engines, four gasoline and two diesel units, with output ranging from 105 to 210 horsepower. The most fuel-efficient model is the Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDI with 105HP and BlueMotion technology, which averages 4.4 liters/100 km (53.45 mpg). Sales will begin this summer with prices in Germany starting from €23.625 ($35,180).

By Dan Mihalascu

VW Golf Cabriolet engines:

1.2 TSI – 77 kW / 105 HP (6-speed)

1.4 TSI – 90 kW / 122 HP (6-speed / 7-speed DSG)

1.4 TSI – 118 kW / 160 HP (6-speed / 7-speed DSG)

2.0 TSI – 155 kW / 210 HP (6-speed DSG)

1.6 TDI – 77 kW / 105 HP (5-speed)

2.0 TDI – 103 kW / 140 PS (6-speed / 6-speed DSG)