Though the 270 horsepower Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept we saw debut last week at the Wörthersee Tour 2011 in Austria is unlikely to make it to production anytime soon, there is a strong chance that this GTI-badged drop-top based on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet will.
The latest concept car essentially drops the Golf GTI drivetrain into the Golf Cabriolet body, including its 207 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed dual clutch DSG and XDS electronic transverse differential lock for the limited-slip differential.
Performance fully matches that of the Golf GTI hatchback, with the 0-60 mph run taking 6.9 seconds and top speed coming in at 149 mph.
Unique touches include a ‘Firespark Metallic’ red paint scheme, a custom bodykit with spoilers painted in a piano black finish and silver-black 19-inch ‘Glendale’ alloy wheels shod with 235 rubber. The concept’s ride height was also lowered with a coilover suspension kit and red painted brake calipers with black GTI logos were added as well.
Sadly, even if a production Golf GTI Cabriolet is approved, the chances of the car being sold in the U.S. are slim given Volkswagen’s decision to focus on the Eos line and not bring the cheaper Golf Cabrio over here.
The Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept made its official world debut last week at the Wörthersee Tour 2011 held in Reifnitz, Austria. It was presented alongside several other Volkswagen Group concepts including the aforementioned Golf R Cabriolet, Skoda Fabia vRS 2000 Speedster and the all-out-insane 503 horsepower Audi A1 clubsport quattro.
