Volkswagen Golf Cabrio Returning Stateside In 2019?
Volkswagen Golf Cabrio returning stateside in 2019? The Volkswagen Eos will be deep-sixed in the coming months. A direct successor isn't in the works, but a new report finds its spot in the Volkswagen lineup will be filled by a market-specific version of the next-generation Golf Cabrio. In Europe, the Golf Cabrio will be offered with direct-injected and turbocharged gasoline-powered engines, and with a handful of turbodiesel TDI units. While we'll see the bigger gasoline engines here, Car & Driver understandably speculates that the TDI units will not be offered in the United States. However, rumors indicate a GTI-powered model with over 230 horsepower on tap will round out the Cabrio lineup shortly after its introduction. The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf is tentatively scheduled to make its official debut in 2018 and go on sale globally the following year. We expect that the Cabrio will bow at a major auto show in 2019, meaning it might not arrive until the 2020 model year. Offered here for the first time since 2002, the convertible Golf will be sold alongside the Beetle Convertible and positioned a notch below the Eos. Interestingly, a source close to Volkswagen told Car & Driver that executives seriously considered replacing the Eos with a new convertible based on the U.S.-spec Passat. Bigger and more expensive than both the Cabrio and the Eos, the nameless model would have likely been billed as a more touring-focused ragtop aimed right at the Buick Cascada.
Compared to its predecessor, this car is lower in profile, more refined, and it is painted silver starting with the Highline (Trendline and Comfortline: black). In its side profile, the new wheel designs are also conspicuous. Even the base version gets new full wheel covers. In the upscale direction, the lineup of wheel-tire combinations is rounded out by the new 18-inch "Bilbao" alloy wheel design from Volkswagen Individual. The Volkswagen Golf Plus, always offered as a four-door with a large hatch is one of the most variable and practical vehicles of its class. The instruments now have the same look as those in the new Golf, Passat and Passat CC. Dominant here are the two round instruments in brushed chrome surrounds that are even supplied in the base equipment version. Instrument scaling is backlit in white (regardless of whether the headlights are on or off); pointer gauges are designed in red.
Also configured in white are the graphics of the multifunctional display (MFA) located between the tachometer and speedometer - standard in all equipment versions effective immediately. Analogous to the Golf and Passat, a new generation of steering wheel is making its way onto the Volkswagen Golf Plus, perfected in touch and appearance. If the Volkswagen is ordered with automatic climate control (Climatronic), a new user interface developed for control of temperature and ventilation is included. The new Volkswagen Golf Plus will be offered with five gasoline engines (59 kW / 80 PS to 118 kW / 160 PS) and four new turbo-diesel engines (66 kW / 90 PS to 103 kW / 140 PS). All engines are four-cylinder, all engines are charged starting at 90 PS, all engines fulfill the Euro-5 emissions standard. After the Golf, in early 2009 Volkswagen will also fully convert the Volkswagen Golf Plus over to common rail engines with four valves per cylinder. The TDIs output 66 kW / 90 PS, 77 kW / 105 PS, 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. Right at the car's market launch, TDIs will be available with 110 PS and 140 PS.
Always on board with all diesels: a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Besides being fuel efficient and dynamic, the new TDI engines are also characterized by noticeably good low-noise properties. Also pioneering are the car's low fuel consumption values: the 189 km/h fast Volkswagen Golf Plus TDI with 110 PS consumes just 5.1 liters fuel per 100 kilometers on average. CO2 emissions of the 2.0 liter TDI are just 134 g/km. Running at an equally excellent level underway is the VW Golf Plus TDI with 140 PS. In this 2.0 liter version, exactly 5.1 liters of diesel flow to the common rail injection per 100 kilometers on average: that is 0.8 liter less than on the TDI with pump-nozzle technology, which was already very efficient. In parallel, Volkswagen has reduced CO2 emissions on the 204 km/h fast VW Golf Plus TDI from 153 to 135 g/km! For the first time on the Volkswagen Golf Plus, the updated model generation offers the parking assistant "Park Assist".
The system enables nearly automatic reverse parking parallel to the roadway. The driver only needs to actuate the gas pedal, brake and clutch. Meanwhile, the Golf Plus steers into the premeasured parking space, controlled by sensors. Also new aboard the VW Golf Plus is the optional rearview camera - "Rear Assist". The camera is located in the VW emblem in the hatch. As soon as reverse gear is engaged, the VW logo swivels upward, together with the camera, to scan the space behind the Golf Plus from this position. The system may be ordered in combination with the RCD 510 and RNS 510 touchscreen radio and radio-navigation systems. Camera images are transferred directly to the touchscreen. Another new assistance system on the Golf Plus is "Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)". When "ACC" is activated, the VW Golf Plus automatically brakes and accelerates based on laser measurements. The driver preselects a speed between 30 and 210 km/h. Important: "Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)" not only maintains the preselected speed, but also the preselected distance to the next vehicle in traffic. Volkswagen will offer this high-roof version of the Golf in the three equipment lines "Trendline", "Comfortline" and "Highline".
