Autoblog

2013 Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

Matt Davis — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Volkswagen, First Drives

The Golf VI's Last Hurrah Is Pure Niche

This was in the heart of the ultra-chic Côte d'Azur during winter. The car to be tested was the not-for-North America 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet. Prevailing weather conditions here this time of year are bizarrely pleasant, as though a dome of Swarovski crystal has been placed over the entire region to protect it from any real winter spoiling things. And the zippy Golf R Cabriolet is a sports car designed precisely for this area's preciously narrow winding streets, as well as for the lofty budgets of its property owners.

So then why was it snowing like we were in northern Michigan? The weather front hit from the north like a swift kick to the Jordaches. The roof was open on this Candy White Golf R Cabrio and I, as is my wont, was determined through thick or thin to keep it retracted. It had been raining and sometimes sleeting like the End of Days, but I kept the lid cracked because the 261-horsepower cabrio - the most powerful convertible ever built by Volkswagen - was snipping along nicely as the bad weather blew over my head and wetted only the rear headrests.

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2013 Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet revealed in video

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Volkswagen

Fans of convertibles might want to take notice of Volkswagen over the coming year or so. In addition to the diesel-powered Beetle TDI Convertible, the new Golf Cabriolet will spawn some exciting variants itself including the GTI Cabrio unveiled earlier this year in Geneva and the more powerful Golf R Cabrio, which VW first showed off in concept form at its annual GTI get-together at Lake Wörthersee to gauge public interest. We still aren't even sure if we'll be getting the standard version of the Golf Cabrio here in the US, but what isn't there to love about the idea of a small and nimble droptop with 265 horsepower?

Well that question seems to have been answered with our first look at the production version of the car in a new video. Mixed in with plenty of driving shots, we can see that there have been a few tweaks from concept to production form including the latter losing the racing-style seats and the center-mounted dual exhaust outlets. Everything else appears to be carried over, such as the aggressive front fascia, stylish 19-inch wheels and lowered suspension. Initial performance specs for the car include a top speed of 155 miles per hour to go with a 0-60 time of under six seconds.

There's no new news to report about the car, but check out the video of the car in action below.

Continue reading Production Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet revealed in video

Production Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet revealed in video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen drops Golf R Cabriolet concept at Wörthersee

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The annual Volkswagen hot-hatch gathering at Lake Wörthersee has been packed so far with enticing show cars. Audi came with a 500hp A1 concept, and Skoda rolled in with a radical rally roadster. But you didn't think the VW brand itself would let its sister companies have all the fun, now did you?

Of course not. So feast your eyes on the Golf R Cabriolet concept. The recipe is as simple as can be: take one Golf Cabrio, and one Golf R. Put 'em in a blender to extract the best parts of both, and voilà! The fastest droptop VW ever.

Along with fitting the Golf R's 265-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo four, the show car's suspension has been dropped by an inch and fitted with 19-inch alloys shrouding massive 17-inch brakes. The interior has likewise been upgraded to Golf R specifications, all decked out in blue and gray with piano black and carbon-fiber trim.

Like the production Golf R tin-top, VW says the Golf R Cabriolet concept can reach 62 mph in under six seconds and power on to a top speed of 155 mph.

While the car you see here is strictly for show for the time being, if public reaction among its most dedicated fans and customers at the Austrian lakeside expo proves sufficient, there's no telling what might ensue. In the meantime, you can check out the trio of images in our high-resolution gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volkswagen drops Golf R Cabriolet concept at Wörthersee

Volkswagen drops Golf R Cabriolet concept at Wörthersee originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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