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<b>SUN-SEEKING GTI IN SA:</b> For those of you who love the thrill of topless driving VW's GTI-badged convertible could be perfect to catch the wind in your hair.
When Volkswagen’s first Golf GTI made its debut 37 years ago the letter combination became the benchmark of a hot hatch - though then the 'i' was lower-case. Now VW has added its first GTI-badged drop-top and it's available in South Africa.
The convertible is powered by a 155kW/280Nm two-litre turbo petrol (also in the Mk6 Golf GTI) mated to a six-speed DSG and designed to take the car to 100km/h in 7.3sec and on to 235km/h.
Fuel consumption is quoted as 7.7 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 180g/km.
GTI TRIMMINGS
As befits a GTI-badged golf, the convertible sports styling such as its red-framed honeycomb grille and lower air inlets, the front GTI bumper and the GTI-specific fog lights with chromed surrounds.
Image gallery
At the rear there's a diffuser, chromed exhaust, LED's and sill extensions; underneath are GTI-typical 18” alloys on 225/40 tyres.
The (soft) top opens/closes in nine seconds and can be operated at up to 30km/h and there's a rollover protection system that deploys within in a quarter-second.
The model also has a reinforced windscreen frame and several other structural modifications to its underbody, sides and doors. Front, side and a driver’s knee airbag as well as ESP complete the safety package.
HUGE BOOT
Standard on the new model is an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS), which further improves vehicle dynamics and safety.
Boot space is given as 250 litres and according to VW is “fully usable even when the top is folded”. The rear bench can also be folded.
Like all GTIs, the convertible has with a sport chassis lowered by 22mm at the front and 15mm at the rear.
Video
Inside, the GTI Cabriolet is fitted with leather sport seats, brushed-steel pedals, a GTI gear shifter and a leather-clad steering wheel; it, the shifter and the parking-brake lever have red seams. The lining of the soft top is black, as are the trim covers of the roof pillars.
Standard kit includes Climatronic auto aircon, eight-speaker RCD 310 audio system and the automaker’s “Easy Entry” function to squeeze rear passengers into their seats. The model has front and rear Parking Distance Control (PDC).
The seventh-generation Golf was launched in south Africa in January 2013; the GTI hatch will arrive later in 2013.
PRICE:
Golf Cabrio 2.0 TSI DSG - R397 900
The Golf GTI Cabriolet is sold with a five-year or 90 000km service plan, three-year or 120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 15 000km.
The convertible is powered by a 155kW/280Nm two-litre turbo petrol (also in the Mk6 Golf GTI) mated to a six-speed DSG and designed to take the car to 100km/h in 7.3sec and on to 235km/h.
Fuel consumption is quoted as 7.7 litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 180g/km.
GTI TRIMMINGS
As befits a GTI-badged golf, the convertible sports styling such as its red-framed honeycomb grille and lower air inlets, the front GTI bumper and the GTI-specific fog lights with chromed surrounds.
Image gallery
At the rear there's a diffuser, chromed exhaust, LED's and sill extensions; underneath are GTI-typical 18” alloys on 225/40 tyres.
The (soft) top opens/closes in nine seconds and can be operated at up to 30km/h and there's a rollover protection system that deploys within in a quarter-second.
The model also has a reinforced windscreen frame and several other structural modifications to its underbody, sides and doors. Front, side and a driver’s knee airbag as well as ESP complete the safety package.
HUGE BOOT
Standard on the new model is an electronic transverse differential lock (XDS), which further improves vehicle dynamics and safety.
Boot space is given as 250 litres and according to VW is “fully usable even when the top is folded”. The rear bench can also be folded.
Like all GTIs, the convertible has with a sport chassis lowered by 22mm at the front and 15mm at the rear.
Video
Inside, the GTI Cabriolet is fitted with leather sport seats, brushed-steel pedals, a GTI gear shifter and a leather-clad steering wheel; it, the shifter and the parking-brake lever have red seams. The lining of the soft top is black, as are the trim covers of the roof pillars.
Standard kit includes Climatronic auto aircon, eight-speaker RCD 310 audio system and the automaker’s “Easy Entry” function to squeeze rear passengers into their seats. The model has front and rear Parking Distance Control (PDC).
The seventh-generation Golf was launched in south Africa in January 2013; the GTI hatch will arrive later in 2013.
PRICE:
Golf Cabrio 2.0 TSI DSG - R397 900
The Golf GTI Cabriolet is sold with a five-year or 90 000km service plan, three-year or 120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 15 000km.
