2011 Volkswagen Golf VI Cabriolet Photos, engines & full specs

After nine years of absence on the market, the cabriolet version of the Golf rejoined the Volkswagen family with its retractable ragtop and completed the lineup of the German carmaker’s compact vehicle.

Volkswagen thought that by launching the Eos in 2006 with a retractable hard top, it didn’t need a regular, canvas-roof convertible. Still, customers soon realized that the Eos was not a true Golf Cabrio, at least not in terms of styling or feeling, so they asked for a regular open-top version of the beloved German hatchback. As a result, in 2011, at the Geneva Motor Show, the automaker introduced the cabriolet for the Golf Mk6, which lasted until 2016, and it didn’t have a successor since the Golf Mk7 didn’t have an open-top version.

The convertible version of the Golf VI had the same chassis as the Eos but shared some body panels with the regular three-door hatchback version. Its front fascia, for instance, featured the distinct-looking headlights of the Golf with their organic, rounded shapes and integrated daytime running lights. The simple grille sported just two horizontal slats and supported the brand’s logo in the middle, while on the lower bumper, the automaker installed a second grille that cooled the engine and the side-mounted fog lamps in individual clusters.

From its profile, the thick A-pillars also served as roll-over protection systems, and there were no B- or C-pillars behind. A retractable one was fitted, though, which deployed in case of emergency. The retractable canvas top was made with four bows and could be completely retracted behind the rear seats in a dedicated compartment in 9 seconds. Closing the vehicle took two seconds longer, and both operations could be performed at the touch of a button at speeds of up to 30 kph (19 mph). The hydraulically operated mechanism was considered more reliable than an electric-only one, even though that added some mass to the vehicle. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed LED taillights, carried over from the Golf GTI.

Inside, the front bucket seats were available with or without high-bolstered areas and were separated by a narrow center console that housed the gear stick. The dashboard and the instrument cluster were identical to those installed on the rest of the Golf range. In the back, the automaker installed two individual seats and a load-through folding-down panel that could extend the trunk area. Volkswagen had to move the bench seat forward to make room for the retractable canvas roof behind the cabin, and, as a result, legroom for those seated in the back was limited.

Volkswagen dared to provide the Golf VI Cabriolet with a wide choice of engines, including its newly developed turbo-diesel versions, despite the Dieselgate scandal. A five- or six-speed manual was fitted as standard for most versions, while the top-of-the-range TSI powerplant was available exclusively with a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission.