Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R Cabriolet

VW's hot hatch drivetrains to wind up in cool, drop-top variants

discount new cars  » Get the best price on a new Volkswagen

Senior Volkswagen sources have confirmed the German giant is planning to build a production version of the Golf R Cabriolet it unveiled at Thursday's GTI-Treffen celebration at Worthesee in Austria.

Hot on the heels of the first drives of its convertible version of the sixth-generation Golf, VW also showed a Golf GTI Cabrio (pictured here in red), though sources admit that, with the standard Cabrio using the GTI hatchback's 206HP (153kW) four-cylinder turbo engine, its production future is less clear.

Using the world's largest Golf meeting was a masterstroke that has already cemented the R Cabrio's credibility amongst the VW faithful. Using the same 266HP (198kW), four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine as the Golf R hatch, the Cabrio shown at Worthesee was, VW admitted, almost production ready.

"It would seem a bit silly to bring the car games this far and not build it, wouldn't it?" one senior VW source insisted.

The Golf R Cabrio (the blue car pictured) was claimed to have a sub-six second sprint to 100km/h, which would make it a firm, if expensive, favourite for the aficionados.

The two soft tops weren't the only VW Golf concepts doing the rounds, because VW also celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Golf GTI with a Golf GTI 35 limited edition.

Already in production, the GTI Edition 35 has another 25 horsepower, taking the four-cylinder turbo engine's power peak to 173kW at 5500 to 6300rpm.

A front-wheel drive, like all Golf GTIs, the Edition 35 is quick enough to sprint to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds on its way to a 247km/h top speed, yet still posts an 8.0 litre/100km fuel economy figure with the optional six-speed DSG gearbox fitted.

With 300Nm of torque between 2200 and 5500rpm, the Edition 35 can be identified by a remodeled front bumper, glossy black wing mirrors and unique 18-inch alloys, though there is an optional 19-inch wheel and tyre package.

VW Australia has yet to confirm whether the Edition 35 will come to Australia, though the car has been engineered in right-hand drive for the UK market.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...