Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.4 TSI - perfect for the summer
The least common body version of the Golf is the convertible. It's worth knowing that the Volkswagen with a canvas roof is a pleasure to drive and is perfect for our climate zone. In the version with the 1.4 TSI twin supercharged engine, the car is both fast and economical.
The first Golf Cabriolet hit showrooms in 1979. The "recreational" car aged more slowly than its closed counterpart, so the manufacturer was in no hurry to release the next version. In the days of the Golf II, there was still a "one" convertible for sale. Its place was taken by the Golf III convertible, which was slightly refreshed after the presentation of the Golf IV. In 2002, the production of Golfs with a sunroof was suspended. It was not revived until 2011, when the Golf VI convertible entered the market. Now Volkswagen is offering the seventh generation of the compact hatchback, but the tradition of selling convertibles is overlapping.
The Golf Cabriolet, which has been in production for two years, has an extremely compact body. Its length is 4,25 m, and the rear edge of the roof and the vertical plane of the trunk lid are separated by just a dozen centimeters of sheet metal. The convertible is neat, but looks smaller than it really is. Can a more pronounced color change that? Or maybe 18-inch wheels would be a valuable addition? unnecessary dilemmas. In cars with an opening roof, driving experience plays the biggest role.
We sit down and ... we feel at home. The cockpit has been completely carried over from the Golf VI. On the one hand, this means excellent materials and attention to detail, such as padded side pockets. However, it is impossible to hide the passage of time. Those who have dealt with Golf VII, and even with new generation cars from Korea, will not be brought to their knees. Upon closer inspection, everything is fine, but it could be ... a little better. This applies to both materials and the multimedia system with navigation, which can be annoying with its slow operation. Ergonomics, the clarity of the cockpit or the ease of use of the vehicle's various functions are undeniable. The seats are excellent, although it must be emphasized that the tested Golf received optional sports seats with more contoured sidewalls, adjustable lumbar support and two-tone upholstery.
The inside of the roof is covered with fabric. So we will not see a metal frame or other structural elements. People accidentally or intentionally touching the front of the roof may be a little surprised. It won't bend even a millimeter. He is tough for two reasons. This solution improves the sound insulation of the passenger compartment, and the rigid element performs the function of covering the roof after it is folded.
The need to strengthen the body and hide the folding roof mechanism reduced the amount of rear space. Instead of a 3-seat sofa, we have two seats with meager legroom. Correctly manipulating the position of the front seats, we get a place for four people. However, this will not be convenient. It is also worth adding that the second row only works when driving with the roof up. When we deploy it, a hurricane will break out over the heads of passengers, the substitutes for which we will not experience in front, even while traveling at maximum speed.
After putting on the windscreen and raising the side windows, the movement of air at the height of the heads of the driver and passenger practically stops. If the convertible is well designed, it is not afraid of a small downpour - the air flow will carry the drops behind the car. The same is true in Golf. An interesting feature is the separate ventilation settings for open and closed roofs. If we set 19 degrees when closing, and 25 degrees when opening, then the electronics will remember the parameters and restore them after changing the position of the roof.
It takes only nine seconds for the electric mechanism to fold the tarp. Closing the roof takes 11 seconds. Plus for VW. Competitors for such an operation even need twice as much time. The position of the roof can be changed in the parking lot and while driving at speeds up to 30 km/h. This is not much and does not always allow you to effectively open or close the roof in city traffic without complicating life for others. Systems operating up to 50 km/h perform better.
Folding the roof does not limit the amount of luggage space. The tarpaulin is hidden behind the rear seat headrests and separated from the trunk by a metal partition. The trunk has a capacity of 250 liters. The result itself is acceptable (many A and B segment cars have similar values), but you need to remember that the convertible has a low and not very regular space. As if that weren't enough, the flap is of limited size. Only fans of XNUMXD Tetris will have no problem making full use of the luggage compartment… The Golf will easily handle longer items. Either fold the rear seat backs (separate separately), or open the roof and carry luggage in the cabin ...
The tested Golf Cabriolet drove several thousand kilometers on Polish roads. Not much, but the noises that accompany overcoming large irregularities with the roof closed are a sign that the blows to the body affected the bumps. When the roof is unfolded, the sounds stop, but on larger irregularities, the body specifically shakes. We did not observe such phenomena in the recently tested Opel Cascada with twice the mileage. Something for something. Golf Cabriolet weighs 1,4-1,6 tons, Lightning Convertible as much as 1,7-1,8 tons! This difference certainly has a significant impact on handling, fuel economy and performance. Golf in the proven, 160-horsepower version accelerates much faster than the strongest, 195-horsepower Cascada. The suspension of the tested car had characteristics characteristic of Volkswagen products - rather rigid settings were chosen that did not interfere with the effective selection of bumps. Only the largest of them are clearly felt. Driving in corners? Accurate and no surprises. We wouldn't be offended if all CDs, including those with tin roofs, worked this way.
The presented car was equipped with a 1.4 TSI engine with dual supercharging. 160 hp, 240 Nm and a 7-speed DSG transmission make driving extremely enjoyable. If the need arises, the motor will effectively "scoop" even from 1600 rpm. When the driver decides to crank the engine all the way to the red bar on the tachometer, the 0-100 km/h sprint will take 8,4 seconds. That's more than enough for a convertible - many of them go at a walking pace. at least along the coastal boulevards. It is important to note that performance is not achieved at the expense of high fuel consumption. On the highway, depending on the conditions and driving style, the 1.4 TSI engine consumes 5-7 l / 100km, and in the city 8-10 l / 100km. It's a pity the bike sounds mediocre - even under load.
The entry-level Golf Cabriolet is powered by a 105 TSI 1.2 hp engine. This version costs no less than PLN 88, but does not captivate with dynamics. The golden mean seems to be the 290-horsepower 122 TSI (from PLN 1.4). 90 TSI twin supercharged 990 hp is an offer for drivers who love dynamic driving and can afford at least PLN 1.4. As standard, the car gets, among other things, dual-zone climate control, audio equipment, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an on-board computer and 160-inch alloy wheels. When setting up a car, it is worth considering the meaning of investing in large wheels (they will increase body vibrations on bumps), a low-speed multimedia system or more powerful versions of the engine - a convertible is the best option to drive up to 96-090 km / h. The money you save can be spent on bi-xenons, sports seats or other comfort-enhancing accessories.
The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet proves that even the neatest car can be turned into a car that brings joy (almost) every day. Should I choose a model with an opening roof? To persuade or dissuade from the purchase is meaningless. Such structures have as many supporters as opponents.
