It is the original standard against which all open-top compacts are measured: the Golf I Cabriolet. The successor to the Beetle Cabriolet, of which nearly 332,000 units were sold, was presented at the Geneva International Motor Show on 27 February 1979. In June that year, production of the future bestseller began – initially in parallel with the Beetle Cabriolet, the last unit of which was produced at Karmann in Osnabrück on 10 January 1980. By that time it was clear that Volkswagen and Karmann had launched a new hit with the new Golf Cabriolet – the first car in this class to have a permanently installed roll bar. It even led to a global renaissance of convertible driving. This was hardly evident, however, when the new convertible was launched on the market; the announcement of the impending demise of the Beetle Cabriolet led to a massive influx of orders.
Let's take a look back:
Golf I Cabriolet – the beginning of a global success
Anton Konrad, who at that time was PR Director at Volkswagen, recalls: "The Beetle community even came together for a funeral procession in Wolfsburg." When Konrad learned of this, instead of sending out security he sent out a refreshment booth with sausages, and he invited the spokesperson of the Beetle friends for a test drive in the Golf Cabrio. Bottom line: "He was amazed at how much more technically advanced it was than his beloved Beetle." In fact, the new Golf Cabriolet had a sophisticated and yet uncomplicated roof design with a five-layer fabric-lined top, four full-size seats, a fuel-efficient and yet agile drive system and fabulous running gear. The rest is history: the first generation not only overtook the Beetle Cabriolet in sales with 388,522 units built; it also went on to become the most successful cabriolet of its time.
Golf I Cabriolet – second series
The fact that one and the same generation of an automobile was a bestseller over a period of more than a dozen years without any significant visual modifications is more than unusual. This can only work if the basic design and technology are engineered to be practically timeless. This was true of the Golf I Cabriolet (as it was true of the Beetle Cabriolet before it). Since the Golf Cabriolet was so popular, Volkswagen decided not to develop a new convertible based on the second generation Golf that was introduced in 1983. Instead, the Golf I Cabriolet was simply given a makeover. Therefore, the Golf Cabriolet from 1983 (model year 1984) onward is most accurately referred to as the second model series of the Golf I Cabrio.
Over the next few years, Volkswagen continually optimised the Golf Cabriolet. In 1987, for example, the wheel housings and side sills were made more voluminous, and the car was given a more dynamic visual appearance; and from 1990 the cabriolet could be purchased with an electro-hydraulically activated soft-top. Various limited edition models kept the car up-to-date, such as the ‘Etienne Aigner', ‘Acapulco', ‘Genesis' or elegant ‘Classicline' versions that are so coveted today. In 1992, the optional driver's airbag made its way into the Golf Cabriolet, completing its safety system. Ever since 1985, a catalytic converter has been offered in the Golf Cabriolet as well. The most powerful version with a three-way catalytic converter produced a clean 98 PS starting in 1989; the 1.8i was the last new engine version of this model series, production of which ended in April 1993.
Golf III Cabriolet – revolution in terms of safety
The debut of the Golf III Cabriolet in 1993 marked the beginning of a new era in the area of safety. First, it was possible to improve crash properties significantly. Second, new technical developments now took hold in the vehicle in grand style. They included front airbags, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and side impact protection. And of course, the new model also relied on a large roll bar between the B-pillars. Beyond safety, the latest development stage of this roll bar offered very practical advantages: the more precise guides for the side windows reduced interior noise levels; the bar could better support the roof when it was up; and the shade-like wind blocker got a perfect upper fastening point. Opening and closing of the roof was now possible in less than 20 seconds with the optional electro-hydraulic drive system. Even at a red light, it was possible to fold down the top to catch some sunshine. Like the Golf I Cabriolet, this successor – based on the third generation Golf – also rapidly attained bestseller status: within two years of its production launch, over 70,000 units were sold.
Golf IV Cabriolet – continuation of a global success
When the fourth generation Golf made its debut in 1997, the drive technologies and the front end styling were adapted from the Golf III Cabriolet, the latest version of which had now officially matured to become the Golf IV Cabriolet. And right up to its last day of production, this convertible set standards in a discipline that to date has appeared to be more of a passing interest for this kind of car: its fuel economy. At 5.2 litres of diesel per 100 km, the Golf TDI Cabriolet was one of the most fuel-efficient open-top cars in the world. And that's almost it for the initial history of the Golf Cabriolet: 2001 marks the end of the first era that began in 1979. During this time period, 684,226 units were built. Between 1996 and the beginning of 2002, the Golf Cabriolet was also built at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico – for the North American market. That plant produced 83,628 open-top Golf cars, of which 765 were exported to Germany. A total of 684,226 Golf Cabriolets for practically all of the earth's continents.
A final tally for the record books? Not really! Since 2011, the former Karmann plants have been building the new Golf VI Cabriolet. And now – for the first time in the history of the Golf Cabriolet – it is being offered as a GTI!
Notes:
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All features, data and prices apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries.