[IMPRESSIONI DI GUIDA] VW Golf Cabriolet 1.4 TSI 160CV autocar

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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI Cabriolet review

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 160 GT First Drive

Test date 05 May 2011 Price as tested TBA

Without a complicated hard-top folding mechanism the soft-top is lighter

What is it?

Back in the Eighties the Golf Cabriolet provided practical, open-top motoring for the masses, in fact during its lifetime 34,189 sun-loving Brits bought one. But in 2002 Wolfsburg chiefs closed not only the roof on the convertible but the door to the production line.

However, after a nine-year hiatus the convertible Golf is back, retaining its soft-top canvas roof and going on sale in VW dealers in September, alongside its Eos coupe-cabriolet sibling. But as VW is quite happy to sell its Scirocco hot hatch alongside its Golf GTI, why should the German firm worry about a similar sales duel between these two similar drop-tops. Certainly the Golf Cabriolet has some significant advantages. Without a complicated hard-top folding mechanism the soft-top is lighter, and as manufacturers face pressure to cut emissions and improve fuel economy, this could be seen as an early move in the right direction for VW and its convertibles.

What’s it like?

Much like the similar-looking Audi A3 Cabrio the roof is easily raised and lowered, and can do so on the move up to 18mph, and the whole operation is over in only nine seconds. But unlike an Audi A3 Cabrio there are no visible rollover hoops by the back seats. This doesn’t mean that there’s no crash protection, instead VW has kept a stylish clean line at the rear of the car by utilising its discreet rollover protection modules, which are stowed out of sight but can be deployed in milliseconds. Subsequently the Golf looks sleeker than its Audi sibling.

Engine wise VW has gone to town with a great range of petrol and diesel powerplants. The four petrols comprise 1.2-litre TSI 104bhp, two 1.4-litre TSIs 158/120bhp and a more high-performance 2.0-litre TSI 207bhp, complemented by two diesels, a 1.6-litre 104bhp and 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp.

At launch in St Tropez we tested the 1.4 158bhp, which is offered with a seven-speed DSG, but the six-speed manual box seems a better match, as the lower ratios seem leggier, making it easier to handle the throttle response and providing a more linear power delivery. The engine is in its element in the mid-range, with relaxed cruising in sixth.

VW has worked hard on the Golf’s chassis and wanted to replicate the hatch’s torsional rigidity. On the foothills of the Cote d’Azur the Cabriolet only suffered some slight understeer when pressing on particularly quickly. Otherwise the ride is refined and performance punchy, 0-62mph in 8.4secs while returning commendable economy and emissions figures (45mpg/148g/km).

What VW really wants us to shout about (ironically) is how quiet this car is with the hood up. At motorway speeds it is phenomenally hushed, thanks to VW’s diligence in setting a new standard in soft-top acoustics by way of state-of-the-art roofliners and insulation, and some clever engineering at the joins to ensure at higher speeds the fabric roof doesn’t fill with air.

Should I buy one?

Volkswagen defined this sector back in the day, and with the return of this soft-top many buyers may well prefer it to the Eos. It’s lighter and more fuel efficient, plus more practical, thanks to its bigger boot, and when the roof’s stowed it doesn’t hinder luggage space.

The cabin is all you would expect from a Golf, well built with a comfortable driving position and intuitive controls. Rear accommodation is helped by sculpted panels in the back of the front seats, which aid legroom, while side armrests help out arm and shoulder room in the back.

VW believes that fleet buyers prefer a metal-top CC, but when you weigh up the benefits of this new Cabriolet, it’s hard not to think that the more sensible and more stylish -decision is the soft option.

Gary Lord

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.4 TSI 160PS

Price: £21,000 (est); Top speed: 134mph; 0-62mph: 8.4sec; Economy: 44mpg; CO2: 150g/km; Kerb weight: 1484kg; Engine: 4 cyls, turbo and supercharged petrol,; Power: 158bhp at 5800rpm; Torque: 177lb at 4500rpm; Gearbox: 6-spd manual

fonte: www.autocar.co.uk