Volkswagen already offers a Cabriolet version for their standard Golf VI model, but the 2012 Geneva Motor Show will set the stage for the unveiling of the GTI Convertible. In fact, this model has already been previewed with the unveiling of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept (pictured here) last year, but don’t expect the production model to look as aggressive as the concept. The Golf GTI Convertible will look just like the GTI, but will be equipped with a soft top roof.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Convertible will be powered by a 2.0 liter turbo engine with an output of 208 HP. It will be equipped with a GTI-specific suspension, optional Adaptive Chassis Control, and a six-speed manual as standard or a DSG transmission as an option. The model will sit on a set of 17" alloy wheels and the interior will benefit from GTI tartan seats.
When it does debut, the Volkswagen GTI Cabriolet will be offered in limited edition, but will more than likely not make it to our side of the pond.
While everyone is waiting for the Beetle TDI version to debut next week in Chicago, German tuner Je Design has prepared an upgrade package for the existing 2.0 TFSI version. The package includes a pretty cool exterior upgrade, as well as the addition of 40 HP under the hood.
The new Beetle already looks the part with its new, more masculine design, so the exterior didn’t need much. Je Design only added an attractive rear apron insert with a diffuser, a centered air duct, and a new steel muffler with a round 90 millimeter large twin tailpipe. The car now sits on a new set of 19" alloy multi spoke wheels painted in an exclusive black "Tornado" finish. The new wheels can be combined with new suspension springs with a progressive characteristic and a sporty spring constant.
Under the hood, Je Design has tweaked the ECU to increase the output from 200 HP to 240 HP and the peak torque from 206 lbs-ft to 228 lbs-ft. As a result, the Beetle will now sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds (down from 7.5) and will hit a top speed of 138 mph.
It’s been a rough winter in almost all parts of Europe, but if anyone se the guts to go out in weather like this then Volkswagen has a little something for them. The company has created a tool to provide some of the best sledding experiences anyone has ever had. Their new toy is a snow sled called the GTI Crazy Bob and with a name like that, it’s bound to be fun.
Crazy Bob is a hot sled, in the truest sense of the word. It was built in the GTI style with high quality, cold-resistant plastic and features ergonomically shaped front and rear footrests. Both sides are worked to offer the highest security and special runners provide excellent glide and tracking. Due to its light weight, the Crazy Bob is easy to carry on your shoulder.
The Crazy Bob can be had for 64,90 €, or about $85 at the current exchange rates. If this is too much, Volkswagen is also offering another traditional wooden sled that is priced at $65.
A few days ago, it was rumored that the Volkswagen Bluesport had been dropped because the company couldn’t find enough sales to justify investing in the model. But, according to British magazine Evo, this simply isn’t true because the Bluesport is still on track.
In a recent interview with EVO, Volkswagen’s engineering boss, Uli Hackenberg, stated that the Bluesport project is still very much alive: "dealers are always looking backwards, not forwards… this is particularly the case when a new model is being considered as they don’t have any reference point to guide them, so they look around at the current market and give an estimate based on that."
Uli elaborated by stating that a production version will arrive in the next three years and will carry a price tag of about £30,000 (about $47k at the current exchange rates). Maybe this means we’ll also see the baby Boxster in the near future?
Volkswagen unveiled the coupe version of the new generation Beetle in April 2011 at the New York Auto Show and at that time, everyone believed that a cabrio version would only be a few months away. However, Volkswagen has decided to make us wait a little bit longer with the new Beetle Cabrio not making its world debut until late 2012. That’s just a little too long to wait so we got to work and came up with this rendering of the future drop top Beetle.
The upcoming Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will feature a design language similar to that of the coupe version, except, of course, for its soft-top folding roof. This means that the convertible Beetle will be bolder, more dynamic, and more masculine, making it a tad more appealing to the male population. Looking at the new Beetle, there’s a new design line from the front bumper and front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, a precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar, and new styling of the rear lights, all assisting in the new generation’s transformation into a new world.
The engine line-up will also be borrowed from the coupe version and will include one diesel and two petrol engine with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. Every engine will be paired with either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG transmission.
