Volkswagen releases fresh photos of the Golf GTI Cabriolet

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show that was held in March this year, Volkswagen, the German auto major brought out the newfangled Golf GTI Cabriolet and unleashed a great deal of details but held back the pictures of the car. The company has finally released fresh images of the car and according to the recent confirmations this car maker will be releasing the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet somewhere in the mid of June in Germany, which will be followed by the launch in other European countries in the coming months.

The Golf GTI Cabriolet is affixed with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that is also doing duty in the GTI hatchback. Capable of pumping out 210 PS of peak power and 280 Nm of peak torque, this engine is coupled either with a six-speed manual gearbox or with the highly efficient six-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 0-100 kmph acceleration time flaunted is 7.2 seconds and the top speed is 237 kmph. On the outside the car boasts the traditional branding of the GTI which is characterized by red edging of the honeycombed grille that bears the GTI badge.

On the inside, the classic tartan Jacara cloth with GTI finish is used for the upholstery. The handbrake, gearlever and steering wheels are done exquisitely in fine leather with red stitching. Other value adding features include the five-star Euro NCAP with roll-over protection, knee and standard airbags and a roof that is electrically powered and flaunts a retraction time of 9.6 seconds and a speed of up to 30 kmph. The anticipated prices of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet will be around Rs. 22 lakh in Europe which means the car would hit Rs. 40 lakh on Indian shores on account of the recently enhanced customs duty.

The steep prices can be fought only if the government does not charge customs duty and opens the economy for foreign companies; but the chances of this happening are one in a million. Looking at the current scenario the Golf GTI Cabriolet might not even hit Indian roads because of the aforementioned hike; we can make ourselves feel better by thinking that the convertibles do not suit the driving conditions of our country.

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