| First Drive | Nice, France | Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet |
Key Facts
Pricing: £21,000-£29,000 (estimated)
Engine: 1.2-litre TSI (petrol), 1.4-litre TSI, 2.0-litre TSI, 1.6-litre TDI (diesel), 2.0-litre TDI
Transmission: five/six-speed manual or six/seven-speed DSG automatic, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door convertible
Rivals: Audi A3 Cabriolet, Renault Mégane CC, VW Eos
CO2 emissions: 117-175g/km
Combined economy: 37.7-64.2mpg
Top speed: 117-146mph
0-62mph: 7.3-12.1 seconds
Power: 104bhp at 4,400rpm (1.6 TDI), 207bhp at 5,300-6,200rpm (2.0 TSI)
Torque: 184lb.ft at 1,500rpm (1.6 TDI), 207lb.ft at 1,700-5,200rpm (2.0 TSI)
In the Metal: 
Volkswagen has chosen to stick with a traditional fabric roof rather than a folding hard-top so as not to encroach on the Eos' territory. In white, with a black lid, it works well, but the darker shades are less complimentary. From the front, it's pure Golf hatch and looking at it from the rear you could be forgiven for mistaking it for the Audi A3 Cabriolet on which it's based.
Expect the usual impeccable build and tough, utilitarian cabin familiar from the standard Volkswagen Golf. Space in the back is equally impressive - there's more legroom than you'd expect for a hatch-cum-cabrio and enough headroom with the roof up to accommodate a medium-sized adult. Our only criticism is with the narrow inner sides that limit space for arms and elbows.
Driving it:
Refinement is this car's byword - even with the roof down the Golf Cabriolet's sound insulation is superb by a convertible's standards, leaving little more than a light buffeting around the A-pillars at cruising speeds. Engine noise is well suppressed, but a clatter from the TDI engines becomes apparent when you roll down the window.
We tried the 120bhp 1.4 TSI engine (due on sale later than the other models) and the 104bhp 1.6 TDI BlueMotion, which, according to Volkswagen, are the likely biggest sellers. GTIs they aren't, especially the 1.6 TDI, which requires encouragement if progress is to be made. The 1.4 TSI proved willing and engaging in comparison, with its addictive whistling turbo/supercharger combo and gruff tailpipe soundtrack.
The Golf Cabriolet rides better than it handles. It's not short of grip and it's largely unflustered by rough roads, but the steering is light and lifeless. The upside is that the large choice of engines allows you to tailor the Golf to your tastes - be they performance or economy.
What you get for your Money:
When it goes on sale in July the Cabriolet will be available in the same three spec levels as the VW Golf hatchback - S, SE and GT. Standard equipment will include Bluetooth, a DAB radio, 16-inch alloy wheels and an electro-hydraulic roof, which is capable of opening in 9.5 seconds at speeds of up to 18mph.
Prices aren't set in stone yet, but Volkswagen hinted at an entry-level cost of between £20,000 and £21,000 rising to around £29,000 for a flagship model. That's very similar to the Audi A3 Cabriolet.
Worth Noting
The idea of a convertible Golf might make the recently-refreshed Eos seem defunct, but Volkswagen assures us that this is not the case. There are no plans to stop selling the Eos and VW reckons that fleet buyers prefer folding hard-tops. What's more, the higher standard spec (the Eos starts in SE trim) and greater scope for personalisation gives it a premium edge over the Golf. Only time will tell.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for an announcement from Volkswagen about its return to the World Rally Championship tomorrow. We'd bet our bottom dollar that there's a WRC-spec Golf GTI in the running.
Summary
Those after a sports convertible should look elsewhere, but a huge choice of engines along with the option of low running costs or potent performance are where the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet's appeal lies. It's well built, spacious and supremely refined - and the healthy dose of heritage doesn't do it any harm, either.
