What Will VW Call Their New Head Turner?
The Volkswagen Concept C, which made its world debut at last year's Geneva Motor Show, looked to be a production ready prototype. And it's no wonder, being that the four-seat convertible, which still does not have a name, has been confirmed for production.
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| Unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Concept C has been confirmed for production. (Photo: Volkswagen of America) |
Just where will it fit in? The future drop-top most likely doesn't replace the compact New Beetle Convertible, which became VW's ragtop when the previous Golf-based Cabrio bowed out. It's larger and wider than the Golf by a fair margin, slotting in neatly behind the Passat in general dimensions - just under 12 inches shorter.
Also, unlike the old Cabrio and New Beetle convertibles, the new model won't feature a soft fabric top, but rather a retractable hardtop similar in execution to that used for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, etal. The roof raises or lowers in approximately 25 seconds, and sports a full-length glass roof when upright.
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| Expect the new convertible to hit the market in the first quarter of 2006 with a price tag of around $35,000. (Photo: Volkswagen of America) |
Expect the convertible to come with Volkswagen's upcoming 2.0T motor good for 200 or so horsepower, as well as an updated version of the 3.2-liter V6, mated to 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions, the latter with Tiptronic manual shift mode.
Starting from the first quarter of 2006 Volkswagen will begin selling the new convertible, after production begins at VW's Portuguese assembly facility - the current home of the Volkswagen Sharan and Seat Alhambra.
Attractive styling, ample room for four and high-end technology doesn't come cheap mind you. Expect a price tag hovering around the $35,490 mark (E30,000). No matter the price, the new VW could steal some sales away from the competition while also causing problems for Audi's A4 Cabriolet.