The two-door, four-seater, front-engined soft top is the first Golf Cabriolet available since the Mk IV Golf, and now features an electrically-powered soft top, which can be lowered in 9.5 seconds including on the move at speeds up to around 18mph.

VW says it's also focused on safety and, in addition to active safety equipment including an active roll-over protection system, the model has been designed with inbuilt passive safety features such as a reinforced window frame and structural modifications to the underbody, side panels, cross-members and doors.

Measuring 4,215mm in length, 1,424mm in height and 1,779mm in width, the Golf Cabriolet is smaller than the Eos but VW says it's maximised interior space by redeploying the same 2,578mm wheelbase.  

However, in terms of design, the new model shares many features with the Golf, including the familiar VW face and interior materials and styling.

Three engines will be available when the car is launched this summer and comprise a 1.2-litre TSI 105bhp, 1.4-litre TSI 160bhp and a 1.6-litre 105bhp TDI. These will be added to later in the year with a 1.4-litre TSI 122bhp, 2.0-litre TSI 210bhp and a 2.0-litre TDI with 140bhp. Diesel engines will feature BlueMotion Technology modifications to ensure high efficiency and low emissions.

In the UK, the Golf Cabriolet will be offered with a choice of trim levels – S, SE and GT – and standard kit is set to include 16-inch alloy wheels, a fully automatic electro-hydraulically operated soft top, DAB radio and Bluetooth.

Orders will open for the new Golf Cabriolet in July in the UK, with the first customer orders arriving in September. More details and pricing information will be available closer to launch.