VW teases Golf R Cabrio - again
Fastest Golf Cabrio ever on the starting blocks, but remains unlikely for AustraliaVolkswagen has continued its drip-feed launch of the new Golf R Cabriolet by releasing a YouTube video of its fastest drop-top Golf ever.
Appearing virtually identical to the concept version that VW showed at the Worthersee tuning show in Austria in 2011, the production Golf R Cabrio will be powered by the same 188kW/330Nm 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol four from the Scirocco R.
Like the Scirocco R – but unlike the Golf R hatchback – the R-badged cabrio drives only its front wheels.
Matched to six-speed manual and DSG automatic transmissions, the engine will propel it to 100km/h in about six seconds, while a 25mm-lower ride height, 18-inch Talladega alloy wheels and ventilated brake discs with blue callipers will give it a chassis to match the extra engine performance.
Of course, there’s also a sports body kit comprising bigger front air intakes and a black grille, as well as smoked headlight and tail-light lenses and twin central exhaust outlets and, inside, the topless Golf R will match its hard-top stablemate by featuring aluminium sill plates, carbon-fibre interior trims, R badging and sports seats.
As with the standard Golf Cabriolet, which is available in Australia in 1.4-litre 118 TSI turbo-petrol guise priced from $36,990, the Golf R Cabrio is based on VW’s previous Mk6 Golf – not the new Mk7 Golf that will be launched here in the second quarter of next year.
The five-door Golf R hatch is priced from $49,990, while Scirocco R coupe pricing starts at $47,490.
The Golf R rag-top will go on sale in Europe early next year but - like the Golf GTI Cabrio and the soft-top version of VW’s new Beetle hatch, which arrives here in February – is unlikely to be sold in Australia.
“We have no plans to offer the Golf R Cabriolet in Australia at this stage,” advised VW Group Australia spokesman Karl Gehling.
“We feel we already have a good offering of cabriolets with the (standard) Golf Cabriolet and Eos.”
Expect the Mk7 Golf hatch to be followed Down Under by the new Golf GTI by the end of next year, with R and Wagon versions to follow in 2014.
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