Neighbours envy the new VW

REGULAR readers will know that two-door cars are not exactly welcome in our driveway, but of course there will always be an exception.

Last week the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet was ogled by everybody in our house and it seemed by everybody on the street where we live.

My daughter, who is my regular travelling companion, is sometimes a bit embarrassed by the various Jeeps and SUVs in which I offer her a lift in, but she was really impressed with the red Golf Cabriolet TDi with the black soft top and admitted that she wouldn’t mind one of these.

Remember those few fine days we had at the end of March? Back then I had a call from VW asking if I would like to test drive their new Cabriolet and I had visions of driving along the coast road with the wind in my hair, whatever I have left of it. But like my hair the fine weather had disappeared by the time I picked up the car.

I have long ago realised that I will never ride through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in my hair; I like that song and probably annoyed my passengers as I tried to get in the mood humming the

‘Ballad of Lucy Jordan.’ You can leave the soft top down or up in approx 9.5 seconds and apparently it can be done at up to speeds of 30km/h, but I think it’s safer to do so when stationery.

The Golf has been one of Volkswagen’s most popular sellers and 26 million units have been sold in 120 different countries since it was launched in 1974. Critics may claim that the car has not changed a whole lot over the past 38 years, but on the other hand why should you make wholesale changes to what is a tried and trusted motor.

We Irish love our Golfs and the car’s record of reliability and longevity means that we know we are guaranteed to get a good deal when trading in. This new model has the stop start technology, which worked very well and is very frugal. Externally the car looks great with attractive LED lights at the front. And 18-inch Charleston alloys, which are exclusive to VW, add to the sporty look. I didn’t have any opportunity to drive with the top down, but with the top up it was a very smooth, solid ride.

Inside there is room for four people, but the white leather seats might be difficult to keep clean. On the dash the controls are typical VW, well laid out and easy to use. The boot is small, but naturally big enough to accommodate the soft top when folded down.

Prices start at

?¬27,715, while the 1.6 TDI Blue Motion version I drove will cost you

?¬29,400.