Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabrio
The main focus of Volkswagen's stereotypically gargantuan stand here at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show is the Up!, the company's city car of the moment. While the Up! is a great small car, its possibilities for excitement are limited.
The Volkswagen Cross Coupe debuted at last year's Tokyo show, and although the Geneva car looks similar, lots of interesting things are going on under the hood, such as a 300-horsepower engine.
And yes, there is a new VW that you can buy, if not right now, pretty soon: the Golf GTI Cabriolet.
More coverage from the Geneva Motor Show
Volkswagen Cross Coupe
Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept
Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept
What is it? No car company can ignore the amazing success of the Range Rover Evoque, so VW goes down the same route with the Cross Coupe. In Geneva, it's a plug-in hybrid.
What's hot? 150 mpg, that's what. The Cross Coupe has a turbodiesel engine and two electric motors, so it will be quick, too. And take a look at the classy interior.
What's not? Is it sexy enough to win over Evoque buyers? The Cross Coupe is a slightly different proposition that will most likely pinch sales from sister company Audi's Q3 and Q5, instead. And those economy figures seem unreal for a car weighing close to two tons.
How much and when? This is the second showing of the Cross Coupe, so the next stage is a running prototype. We reckon you'll be able to get one in 2013. It won't be much cheaper than the Evoque, which kicks off at just under $50,000.
Anything else I need to know? When the electric motors and the diesel engine are working together, the Cross Coupe produces 305 horsepower, good enough to propel it to almost 140 mph.
Bing Images: Volkswagen Cross Coupe
Golf GTI Cabriolet
Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabrio
Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabrio
What is it? It doesn't get much more straightforward than this. Take the much-loved Golf GTI and blend in the excellent convertible body. It's what you've been waiting for.
What's hot? All the visual GTI trademarks are here: red-framed radiator grille with honeycomb structure and an offset GTI badge, twin chrome-tipped tailpipes, a rear diffuser and that great, torquey 2.0-liter 210-horsepower turbocharged engine. Oh, and plenty of red stitching inside.
What's not? If you're after a compact convertible, it's hard to think of a logical reason not to choose the Golf. But while VW sticks with traditional ragtop, plenty of rivals have a folding steel roof.
How much and when? Volkswagen says the Golf GTI convertible will arrive for the start of summer. List prices are still to be confirmed, but we guess a starting price of around $46K.
Anything else I need to know? A soft-top Golf has never been this fast. The Golf GTI convertible accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds, it has a top speed of 147 mph and can average 37.1 mpg combined city/highway.
