Topless Golf R Cabrio Pulls Her Tops Off

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

For those who want a topless car that can render passengerettes truly topless, Volkswagen introduces the Golf R Cabriolet. The über-powered R models never were available as a ragtop, no it is. “Tremendous propulsive power” (so the press release) is generated by a 2.0-litre turbo TSI engine that develops 265hp. Maximum torque of 350NM (258 ft lb) is available from a low 2,500 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm.

The car reaches 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds. The car’s top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but your friendly Volkswagen Partner can probably be talked into talking care of that detail. The 6-speed DSG promises to shift quickly and without any interruptions in power transfer.

Even the soft top is fast: The electro-hydraulic mechanism that opens the roof in 9.0 seconds.

Careful: Like the 2012 Golf Cabriolet, the Golf R Cabriolet is based on the Golf Mk6, not on the new Mk7. Car & Driver was perplexed to learn that the Cabriolet “is based on the current Golf MkVI and arrives curiously late.”

C&D: Since I have known the Golf, and that’s a very long time, the open top version always extended the life-span of the previous generation, so to speak. The first Golf Cabriolet, launched in 1979, based on the Mk1, extended the life of the old generation through 1993. The generation before the current Cabrio was based on the venerable Golf Mk3.In observance of the tradition, the current Golf Cabriolet recycles previous-gen stampings.

The über-powered Golf R Cabriolet will cost 43,325 euros (58,000) in Germany.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Durishin Durishin on Feb 11, 2013

    Meh! They'll make a BRZ convertible and everyone will forget about this.

  • Steve65 Steve65 on Feb 11, 2013

    Funny, when I type "topless Golf" into a google image search, I don't get many pictures of this car...

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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