The R department of Volkswagen has taken on a new challenge, incorporating a soft-top into an R model. The Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet is the result and it’s an amazing car, yet the price may turn some buyers off. Those who do choose to try it out find this car is very refined and offers the speed people want when cruising down the road with the top down. It’s the fastest VW Golf Cabriolet available in the country and has the features most want and need.
The major drawback to the Golf R Cabriolet is how much you will pay to own one. Not only is it more expensive than the Audi TTS Roadster, it costs more than the entry level Porsche Boxster release this model year, but only two will fit into those models. The Golf R Cabriolet easily accommodates four. This is just one of the many reasons drivers are sure to test the car out to see if it is right for them. There are many other reasons they will wish to take this car for a spin.
Performance is one reason why people are lining up to get behind the wheel of this car. It’s faster than the Golf GTI Cabriolet and you barely have to tap the throttle to have it taking off. This is due in large part to the 261bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine and 256 Nm of torque in the 2,500 to 5,000 rpm range. This car has the sounds to accompany the power also which drivers appreciate. Standard models can go from 0-62mph in only 6.4 seconds with the top speed electronically limited at 155mph. Traction control does tend to kick in on wet roads as it can be hard to control the power to the front wheels and this happens even when you are accelerating hard.
Experts do like the standard DSG automatic gearbox found in this car as it offers timely and smooth gear changes. Enthusiasts will enjoy having the paddles mounted on the steering wheel and you get plenty of grip when on dry surfaces. The steering is heavier than many would prefer and drivers must keep their hands firmly on the steering wheel under heavy acceleration, but it is quick. The one drawback to this car is the dampers and springs. They result in a jittery and firm ride in the city although it’s not as noticeable when out on the open road. The body tends to flex when driving on urban roads also. When test driving this model, be sure to take on a number of road conditions to get a full picture of what this car is and isn’t capable of doing.
Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet
The looks of the car are a major attraction also. Each Golf R Cabriolet comes with a unique body kit, black grille, rear diffuser and black door mirrors along with 19-inch alloys, available in either high-gloss black or sterling silver. Other features include bi-xenon headlights with black housings, LED daytime running lamps and black-painted brake callipers sporting the R logo. The finishing touch is the chrome dual exhaust tailpipes and the ride height has been reduced by 25 mm.
When designing the interior of this car, Volkswagen chose to use the mk6 Golf platform while adding R embellishments. Leather wrapped sports seats offer plenty of support while the contrast grey stitching and aluminum detailing dress up the interior. Other changes include door sill logos, chrome and aluminum highlights throughout the cabin and blue needles on the instruments along with brushed aluminum caps on the pedals. The cabin is definitely classy in every respect.
The Golf R Cabriolet easily seats two in the back and adults find there is plenty of head and leg room. The fully electric soft top roof takes 9.5 seconds to take down and 11 seconds to put back up and can even be operated at speeds of up to 18 mph. With the top up or down, the boot carries 250 litres and the rear seats can be folded flat for longer items. This makes the vehicle appropriate for short and long trips.
Volkswagen has equipped this model with a number of safety features drivers are sure to appreciate. Convertible specific airbags, stability control and a pop-up rollover protection system are standard and this car receives a five-star Euro NCAP rating.The brakes are bigger on this model to accommodate the added performance, but VW didn’t incorporate some of the latest technology. One notable feature which is missing is automatic city braking.
Efficiency on this model is expected. This model gets approximately 34.4mpg while producing CO2 emissions of 190g/km. As this model comes in at 1,640 kerbweight, those figures aren’t bad at all. If the DSG transmission is left to operate on its own, you may find yourself wanting to drive this car everyday as it is so good on fuel.
Volkswagen has really outdone itself with this model. It comes fully loaded with everything you would expect in a VW and a great deal more.The only thing lacking is sat-nav. There are some drawbacks to this vehicle, including the fact that the car is only front wheel drive. The car comes with a steep price tag also. Experts say this won’t affect sales though. Drivers who fall in love with this car will be more than willing to pay the high price tag for the luxury of getting behind the wheel. Luxury is exactly what VW was going for in this model and they definitely succeeded.