Mk VI Golf Cabriolet

A convertible version of the Golf 6 joined the range rather belatedly in November 2011.

Stepping in for the discontinued New Beetle Cabriolet, the nameplate returned after an eight-year hiatus the MK3 Golf-derived version was the last to be sold in Australia in 2003.

Unlike the Eos’ folding hardtop that tucks into the boot, the Golf Cabrio offered a traditional fabric roof – in this case a black-only, fully automatic, electro-hydraulic soft-top affair, which not only takes a speedy nine seconds to disappear (and 11s to erect) but also is operable up to 30km/h.

Gone was the signature fixed rear-seat hoop for a set of discreet rollover bars positioned behind the rear headrests.

In the name of body rigidity, Volkswagen’s engineers reinforced the windscreen frame, underbody structure, sills, back panel and doors, resulting in a weight gain of about 94kg. Attention was also given to improving cabin noise levels.

Under the bonnet was VW’s ubiquitous 1.4-litre ‘twin-charged’ – both turbocharged and supercharged – TSI four-cylinder petrol engine, tuned to deliver 118kW of power at 5800rpm and 240Nm of torque from 1500 to 4000rpm, driving the front wheels and mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox.