The Golf Cabriolet stands as a true icon in the realm of open-top motoring, particularly within the compact car segment. As a quintessential Cabriolet Car, its history is rich, marked by innovation, popularity, and a lasting appeal that spans generations. Born as the spiritual successor to the legendary Beetle Cabriolet, the Golf Cabriolet quickly carved its own niche, becoming the gold standard for convertible compact cars.
Golf Cabriolet I: Setting the Standard for Cabriolet Cars
Alt text: Classic red Golf Cabriolet I, a quintessential cabriolet car, parked on a sunny road, showcasing its open top and iconic rollover bar.
Debuting at the Geneva International Motor Show in February 1979, and entering production in June of the same year, the Golf I Cabriolet was immediately recognized as something special. Tasked with following in the footsteps of the Beetle Cabriolet, which had seen nearly 332,000 units produced, it had large shoes to fill. Initially, production ran parallel with the Beetle Cabriolet, until the last Beetle Cabriolet rolled off the Karmann assembly line in Osnabrück in January 1980. The Golf Cabriolet, however, was forging a new path.
This cabriolet car was groundbreaking in its class, notably featuring a fixed rollover bar – a first for a convertible in this segment. This safety innovation didn’t compromise the car’s stylish design, which incorporated a cleverly designed soft-top roof mechanism that was both complex in its engineering and simple to operate. Inside, the Golf Cabriolet offered the practicality of four full-sized seats, combined with the agility and fuel efficiency of its engines and the reliability of front-wheel drive. The formula proved to be a resounding success.
The numbers speak for themselves. Production of the first-generation Golf Cabriolet continued until 1993, during which time it surpassed its predecessor, the Beetle Cabriolet, and became the most successful convertible of its era, with an impressive 388,522 units manufactured. Throughout its production run, the Golf I Cabriolet was continually refined and improved, solidifying its status as a beloved cabriolet car.
Golf Cabriolet II: Elevating Safety in Cabriolet Design
Alt text: Second generation blue Golf Cabriolet II, a safer cabriolet car model, driving on a coastal road, highlighting its updated design and rollover protection.
The arrival of the second-generation Golf Cabriolet in 1993 marked a significant step forward, particularly in terms of safety for cabriolet cars. This model boasted vastly improved crashworthiness, a crucial advancement in automotive safety standards. Furthermore, it incorporated cutting-edge technical innovations like driver and passenger airbags and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), features that were becoming increasingly important to car buyers. Continuing the safety-conscious design of its predecessor, the Golf Cabriolet II also featured a prominent rollover bar, now integrated between the B-pillars.
For added convenience, the second-generation cabriolet car offered an optional electrohydraulic roof operation system. This feature allowed for swift and effortless opening and closing of the soft-top in under 20 seconds, enhancing the user experience and the spontaneous joy of open-air driving. While based on the technology of the third-generation Golf, this Cabriolet received a significant update in 1997, adopting the powertrain and front-end styling of the fourth-generation Golf, keeping it fresh and modern.
The production of the second Golf Cabriolet, another chapter in the cabriolet car story, concluded in 2001, bringing to a temporary end the Golf Cabriolet lineage that began in 1979. During this extensive period, Karmann in Osnabrück produced an impressive 600,585 units of this generation, further cementing the Golf Cabriolet’s position in automotive history.
Golf Cabriolet III: Modern Cabriolet Performance and Safety
Alt text: Sporty white Golf Cabriolet III GTI, a high-performance cabriolet car variant, parked in an urban setting, emphasizing its powerful engine and dynamic styling.
The Golf Cabriolet made a triumphant return in 2011 with the introduction of the third generation, built upon the foundation of the sixth-generation Golf. This modern cabriolet car showcased significant advancements in roof technology, with an incredibly fast opening time of just nine seconds, even at speeds up to 30 km/h. Safety remained a paramount concern, and this model featured a sophisticated rollover protection system that deployed in milliseconds. Reinforced windscreen frame, additional structural enhancements, and a comprehensive suite of airbags contributed to an exceptionally high level of safety for occupants.
Expanding the appeal of the Golf Cabriolet, 2012 saw the arrival of the first-ever Golf GTI Cabriolet. This performance-oriented cabriolet car packed a punch with 155 kW / 210 PS of power and a top speed reaching 237 km/h (235 km/h with DSG transmission). Not content to rest there, Volkswagen pushed the boundaries further in 2013 with the introduction of the Golf R Cabriolet. Boasting 195 kW / 260 PS and a blistering top speed of 265 km/h, this became the most powerful and fastest Golf Cabriolet ever produced, representing the pinnacle of open-top Golf performance.
In 2016, the era of the open-top Golf concluded once again, marking the end of production after a total of 770,039 third-generation cabriolet cars had been manufactured. Across its three generations, the Golf Cabriolet has left an indelible mark on the automotive landscape, proving the enduring allure of the cabriolet car and its ability to blend style, practicality, and open-air freedom.
