The 2012 Volkswagen Golf convertible revealed in pictures

Sporting the same curvy lines as the VW Golf hardtop, the 2012 Golf Cabrio comes fitted with a soft retractable top (unlike the Eos convertible that only comes with the retractable hardtop) that doubles as its own tonneau cover when the convertible top is in the stowed position. That means extra trunk space when the top is down and no worries of carrying-and-applying a bulky tonneau to cover the usually unattractive retracted top. Also, the Golf Cabrio is slightly smaller than the Eos while sharing the same wheelbase so we can expect interior dimensions to be similar to the hard-topped Eos.

Not only does the soft convertible top of the 2012 VW Golf Cabrio serve as its own tonneau, but it is capable of retracting in just 9.5 seconds thanks to the electro-hydraulic drive system so there is no lengthy wait for the top to get into the stowed position. Also, the Golf Cabrio’s top will function normally and safely up to 18 miles per hour, so if you are in a huge hurry (or if you are sitting in very slow moving traffic), you can drop your top while in motion.

No exact drivetrain information has been given on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabrio (after all, they have to save something for the Geneva Motor Show debut) but we know that the European market will get 6 engine options with at least four of them running on gasoline and the other two presumably running on diesel. Those four gasoline (petrol outside of the US) engines are available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission as is one of the diesel options and three (we don’t know which three) are available with Volkswagen’s BlueMotion fuel saving technology. Little information on the individual engines has been given but thanks to today’s press release, we know that one option will be a 1.6L TDI (turbo diesel) mated to BlueMotion technology making around 103hp and yielding somewhere in the area of 54mpg.

As mentioned above, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet becomes available for preorder tomorrow in Germany with a price of 23625 euros – around 32,500 US dollars. There is no indication as to whether or not we will get a shot at the 2012 Golf convertible here in the US but with more and more automakers working towards a global product range, perhaps VW will test the US waters with this spunky little drop-top.

Check out the gallery below for a closer look at the 2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet and stay tuned to TorqueNews.com for more news from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show!

Other 2011 Geneva Motor Show News:
The Mini Rocketman Concept unveiled in images ahead of Geneva
Giuigiaro/Italdesign Volkswagen concept images leaked
Lamborghini issues a rolling chassis image of the Aventador LP700-4
Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel To Debut At Geneva Motor Show
New Hyundai i40 Wagon shown ahead of Geneva debut