Volkswagen’s topless GTI goes on sale

Volkswagen dealers in the UK are now taking orders for a GTI variant of the Golf Cabriolet.

The car, unveiled at the Geneva show in March, is on sale at prices from £29,310.

The GTI cabriolet gets the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in its hatchback sister, producing 207bhp. Paying £29,310 means a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or for an extra £1,300 one can have the optional six-speed dual-clutch DSG ‘box.

It’s a torquey ‘box, with 206lb/ft on tap from 1,700 to 5,300rpm. An EDS electronic differential lock and XDS transverse differential lock both come as standard.

The GTI cabrio hits 62mph from rest in 7.3 seconds and goes on to 147mph, or a single mph less with the DSG. Combined fuel consumption is 37.2mpg (36.7 DSG), with CO2 emissions of 177g/km (180 DSG).

Classic GTI styling touches are highly evident, ranging from the honeycomb radiator grille with red edging and GTI badge, along with honeycomb on the air dam and fog lights.

Side sill extensions are fitted along with a bespoke rear diffuser, with a chrome tailpipe on either side and smoked LED tail lights. The car sits on 18-inch ‘Monza Shadow’ alloy wheels as standard.

The inside gets the treatment too. Under the black-lined hood (which folds away electrically in 9.5 seconds) are tartan ‘Jacara’ cloth upholstery on the four seats, though you can choose ‘Vienna’ leather as an option.

Leather also clothes the steering wheel, handbrake and gearlever cover, each with neat red stitching. Stainless steel features on the pedals, with black ‘Edge’ decorative inlays on the doors and facia.

Safety aids include the automatically-deploying rollover protection fitted on all Golf Cabriolet models, along with front and side head/thorax airbags and a driver’s knee airbag as standard.

First customers will receive their GTI Cabriolets in July.

Words by: Andrew Charman