Autoblog

Volkswagen Eos won't be replaced, Golf Cabriolet possible?

Chris Paukert — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen, Design/Style

This week's Los Angeles Auto Show plays host to the coming out party for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, which once again gives the German automaker a pair of four-seat convertibles clustered within striking distance of each other's price ranges. That won't be the case for long, however, as the recently refreshed Eos folding hardtop convertible won't get a successor.

The handwriting has been on the wall for the slow-selling model, which is priced above the new Beetle droptop, starting at $34,350 despite offering a similar powertrain to the Beetle Turbo, which rings up at $27,795 (base 2.5-liter Beetle Convertibles start at $24,495). Through October, Volkswagen has managed to sell just 5,529 Eos units, down 17.8 percent over 2011. This, despite a modest facelift and equipment updates for the 2012 model year. At the same time that the Eos was getting freshened, VW introduced the similarly sized and similar looking Golf Cabriolet for Europe, which despite folding hardtop construction, seemingly obviated the Eos' business case. The Cabriolet subsequently spawned GTI and R variants, giving the model further momentum and appeal.

Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen's head of global design, did not tell Autoblog when the Eos will be phased out - VW has already released a 2013 model - but he did confirm that a replacement is not in the cards. However, Bischoff did express clear support for the idea of bringing the Golf Cabriolet to North America, as well as the GTI Convertible.

Volkswagen Eos won't be replaced, Golf Cabriolet possible? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet toots its 207-horsepower horn

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen

While we get the Volkswagen Eos, other markets get this: the Golf GTI Cabriolet. We had a good look at it under the lights of the Geneva Motor Show, and now VW has dropped a slew of photos of the convertible in its natural environment.

Under the hood is a 207-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, mated to either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox. The car's feminine aspect has been mentioned, but VW would like to focus people's attention on the 0-to-62 time of 7.3 seconds, making it the fastest GTI convertible ever, the top speed of 147 miles per hour, and it being "the most economical model in its class." And the man at the wheel in the press photos.

You can have a good, varied look at it in the gallery of high-res photos, and check out the press release by scrolling down.

Continue reading Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet toots its 207-horsepower horn

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet toots its 207-horsepower horn originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet pops its top, just can't stop

Chris Tutor — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen

Despite the current trend, not every car looks good with its top lopped off. We're looking at you, Nissan and Land Rover. The Volkswagen GTI doesn't get any prettier after losing its roof and seems to get, well, a little softer, more, ok, we're just gonna say it - girly. A bit like the earlier VW Cabriolets but with enough horsepower to leave its critics in the dust.

That power comes from the GTI's 2.0-liter turbo four and six-speed gearbox (manual or DSG), which should make it a super-fun car to toss around back roads.

Folks in the UK can pick one up later this year. Available in the States? Not likely, unfortunately.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet pops its top, just can't stop

2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet pops its top, just can't stop originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen drops top on production Golf GTI Cabriolet ahead of Geneva debut

Noah Joseph — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen

Who says you can't have the best of both worlds? Certainly not Volkswagen, which has just dropped the top on its new Golf GTI Cabriolet in advance of its debut at the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show.

Previewed in concept form (alongside an even sportier Golf R Cabrio concept) at the Wörthersee gathering last June, the Golf GTI Cabriolet - as you might have guessed - combines the best attributes of the Golf GTI and Golf Cabriolet. (Which, when you think about it, is not unlike the approach taken by big brother Bugatti with its Veyron Vitesse, only much smaller and just slightly more affordable.) It includes the GTI's 2.0-liter turbo four and six-speed gearbox (manual or DSG), electronic limited-slip differential, 17-inch alloys and all the visual cues that go with 'em, but with the power folding fabric roof from the cabrio.

Since the current Golf Cabriolet isn't available on this side of the Atlantic, we wouldn't go holding our breath on the GTI version's availability here, either, but you can check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump while we gear up to go check it out in Geneva.

Continue reading Volkswagen drops top on production Golf GTI Cabriolet ahead of Geneva debut

Volkswagen drops top on production Golf GTI Cabriolet ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen brings GTI Cabriolet to join Golf R Cabrio at Wörthersee [w/poll]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST

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

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

There's no doubt about it. Summer is here, and Volkswagen has gone crazy with open-air motoring. The German auto giant rolled in to its 30th-annual hot-hatch festival at Lake Wörthersee in Austria with the Skoda Fabia RS 2000 roadster. Then it dropped the top on a Golf R Cabriolet concept. But just in case that wasn't enough, VW also brought out a second Golf GTI Cabriolet.

Like the Golf R Cabrio, the formula for the GTI Cabrio is simplicity itself: take one new Golf Cabrio and one GTI, mix 'em together and this is what you get: 207 turbocharged horsepower to redo your coif in the open air. Just for good measure, VW also outfitted the show car with a full body kit, dropped suspension and special 19-inch wheels. The Firespark Metallic paint is offset by the high-gloss black trim, a color combo continued into the cabin decked out in black leather - Wörthersee is, after all, in the Austrian province of Corinthia - with red and grey top-stitching.

Unfortunately, like the Golf R cabrio and the Skoda roadster, this is strictly a show car for the time being, but if enough fans demand it, the GTI Cabrio could become a reality. So which would you rather drive home from your local dealership? Check out the images in the high-res gallery, scope out the full press release after the jump, and cast your vote below.

View Poll

Continue reading Volkswagen brings GTI Cabriolet to join Golf R Cabrio at Wörthersee [w/poll]

Volkswagen brings GTI Cabriolet to join Golf R Cabrio at Wörthersee [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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