A look at the 2011 VW Golf Cabriolet

The Cabriolet is the first Golf Cabriolet since the Mark 4; it made its debut at the Geneva Motor show at the end of February and should be available to order in the UK from July, to ship in September.

This two door model is nearly 21 centimetres shorter than the VW Eos, yet has the same length wheelbase, meaning maximum legroom for the four passengers.

Inside the cabin is almost identical to the Golf hatchback.

It's expected that there will be three trim levels (S, SE and GT) and that the standard specification will include alloy wheels, DAB radio and Bluetooth, as well as the automatic electric soft-top - which can be lowered in under 10 seconds whilst on the move (under 18 mph). Ingenious design means that the rear windscreen acts as the lid of the soft-top's storage box when lowered, and even with the top down the boot has 250 litres of space.

Safety features will include rollbars, ABS, VW's 'ESP' eletric suspension system, as well as airbags for all four occupants and one for the driver's knees.

The new design features reinforced window frames and structural adjustments to the underbody, panels, doors and cross-members designed to increase rigidity.

New window and door seals will aid noise reduction.

There will be six engines to choose from, although only three will be available initially: 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre petrol TSIs and a 1.6 litre diesel TDI.

These will be complemented by another 1.4 litre petrol TSI, plus 2.0 litre petrol and diesel engines. The diesel engines will be optimised for high efficiency and low CO2 emissions.