July 12,

1991 - North Shore News - 25

NEWS photos Neil Lucente

VW Golf Cabriolet |

Enduring convertible has character to

WHEN THE VW Golf replaced
the Rabbit in 1985, many people
expected the Rabbit Cabriole: to
get a new body style too. It
didn’t. Six years later, the
Cabriolet still has the original
Rabbit body style, and may even
stay that way after the redesigned
1992 Gol is introduced.

Chalk it up to personality. The
Cabriolet's charismatic, and
somewhat funky styling continues
to ativact loyal ragtop owners,
even though the base price of the

Cabriolet is just under $20,000,
$8,000 more than the two-door
Golf hatchback.

The popular top-of-the-line
Boutique model with its white
leather seats, white convertible
top, and optional white exterior is
particularly stylish and even femi-
nine in its appearance. The
Cabriolet Boutique is somewhat
unique in that it appears to be
aimed exclusively at women
buyers.

One of

the most impressive

featuces of the Cabriolet is the
design and construction of its
convertible top.
down easily by

unlocking two

It can be folded,

noise and improve appearance,
and has a real glass rear window

with electric defroster. A power-

operated top is available.

&£4 When folded down, the top sits
high up on the rear deck,
reminiscent of great European
convertibles of the past.99

sturdy clips at the forward edge of
the windshield, and folding the
top up and back until it locks into
a ‘down’ position. This must be
done standing outside the vehicle
though, not from inside like in the
Mazda Miata.

The top is made of durable
vinyl material with a strong
frame, an interior lining to reduce

“Fechnical data

Price as tested: $20,165
Base price: $19,490
Type: two-door,
convertible
Layout: transverse front
front wheel drive

Engine: 1780) cco four cylinder,
SOHC, Digifant fuel injection

four-passenger

engine/

When folded down, the top sits
high up on the rear deck, reminis-
cent of great European convert-
ibles of the past. This looks
unusual, but it allows for a con-
siderable amount of trunk space
underneath the top, The trunk i
accessible through a small, rear
trunk lid. This contrasts with
many convertibles that sacrifice

Horsepower: 94 @ $400 rpm
Torque: 107 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm
Transmission: five-speed pianual
(three-speed automatic)

Tires: 185/60HR 14 radials

Curb weight: 103] kg/2273 Ibs
Wheelbase: 2400 nim 784.5 in.

Trunk space: 220 1./7.8 cu. ft;

spare

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

trunk space of rear seat space in
order for the top to fold down
See Cabriolet page 26

$08 1.717.8 cu, ft.

Fuel economy: City
km, 29 npg: Hwy 7.2
39 mpg.

Warranty: Basic 3 yrs/60,000 km
Test drive the Golf Cabrietet at
‘apilano) Volkswagen, f151

Marine Dr., North Vet.

9.8 1/100
1.4100 km,