Volkswagen Golf 2011 Review

It's been eight long years since Volkswagen last offered a Golf with a soft top. The cabrio skipped the previous fifth generation Golf all together, but the wait has been worth it because the new one's a beauty at a red hot price - considering the asking price for the last one was $50,000.

CLOTH OR METAL ROOF?

It's a four-door with a folding, three-layer cloth roof. Push a button to open the roof. Takes just 9 seconds to open and can be opened up to a speed of 30km/h. Closing takes a slightly longer 11 seconds. The roof has to go somewhere when it is closed and that means a small boot - par for the course with convertibles. You can drop the rear seat for longer loads.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?

A 1.4-litre twin charged four cylinder engine that produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque from 1500 revs. Our respect for this engine continues to grow and it does an outstanding job of powering the cabrio. You could argue more power is warranted, but in reality this engine is all it needs. 

There's every likelihood of a diesel and perhaps the 155kW from the GTI will find its way into the car - but they reckon it won't be called a GTI. GTI and R concept versions of the cabrio have already been exhibited overseas.

WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?

Extremely well given its size and 1400kg weight. In either six-speed manual or seven speed DSG form, performance is strong and sporty. It's difficult to believe an engine this small can produce such satisfying results - but that's technology for you. Body flex is minimal and the thing goes around corners with impressive ease, although the ride can be a little jiggly on secondary roads. The manual change is easy to use and the self-shifting double-clutch box does what it does very well.

WHAT ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY?

55-litre tank. Takes premium unleaded. The manual is rated at 6.6 while the DSG trims this figure to 6.5 litres/100km. In reality they will use more than this, but not much more if drive steadily. During the launch the manual we drove recorded 9.9 litres/100km while the DSG driven by a colleague delivered 10.3 (we tend to get carried away at times).

IS IT SAFE?

Gets a full five stars, with five airbags including a driver's knee bag, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and two roll bars that pop up in the event of a rollover accident. Not sure how it gets five stars without any protection for the rear passengers?

ANYTHING WE DIDN'T LIKE?

VW made the decision to equip all cabrios with sports suspension. The result is a car that, driven enthusiastically, hangs on like a cat that doesn't want to go out for the night. BUT the ride is anything but smooth and we predict the largely female buyers that will be attracted to this car would have appreciated a smoother, more comfortable ride instead. Rear legroom is tight, but the majority of people who own these cars tend to drive two-up. 

A reversing camera should be standard, but it's a $1400 option which also requires the $3000 satellite navigation system. Space saver spare.

SO WHAT'S IT COST?

The manual is priced from $36,990 while the auto/DSG carries a $2500 premium bringing the price tag to $39,490 - both prices before on road costs. There's only one equipment grade, with cloth upholstery standard, along with cruise control, auto dimming mirror, auto lights and wipers, two-zone temperature controlled airconditioning, Bluetooth for phone and audio plus 6-speaker audio with USB multimedia interface for music players. Also comes with 17 inch alloys with 225/45 rubber and lowered sports suspension as standard.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CABRIOLET TSI

Price: from $36,990
Resale: 54% (approx).
Warranty: Three years, unlimited km
Service interval: 12 months/15,000km
Safety: Five star ENCAP, ABS, BA, stability and traction control, hill start assist
Engines: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection supercharged & turbocharged petrol 118kW/240Nm.
Transmission: Six speed manual or seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated; FWD
Dimensions:  4337mm (l) 1423mm (h) 1782mm (w) weight 1424kg (DSG 1443kg)
Thirst: 6.6l/100km, 155g/km, tank 55 litres.

COMPETITORS

There aren't any really, not for this price. There's the Renault Megane priced from $45,990, BMW 1 Series from $53,200 or the Peugeot 308CC from $55,490. We're wondering what impact it will have on sales of the larger EOS coupe-convertible, but then again prices for EOS start from $49,990.