Volkswagen Cabriolet
The Cabriolet was first sold in the United States as the Volkswagen Rabbit Convertible, but was renamed to VW Cabriolet in 1985. The first generation Cabriolet was discontinued in 1993, and VW introduced the Golf Mk3 Cabrio as the VW Cabrio in the US in 1995. This generation was sold until 2002 and was replaced in 2006 by the Volkswagen Eos.
Volkswagen Cabriolet Overview
The Volkswagen Cabriolet is a convertible version of Volkswagen’s iconic Golf model, known for its distinctive design and open-top driving experience. The Volkswagen Cabriolet, also referred to as the VW Rabbit Convertible in its earlier years in the U.S., was introduced in the late 1970s. The Cabriolet was positioned as a stylish, open-top version of the Golf, offering a fun and accessible convertible experience.
The first generation (1979–1993) was based on the first and second generations of the Golf/Rabbit, this Cabriolet, known for its “clamshell” design, had a roll-over bar that gave it the nickname “Clipper.” It was a popular choice among younger buyers and remained in production for several years. This generation also saw a few special editions, including the “Wolfsburg Edition.” The second generation (1995–2002) was based on the Golf Mk3 platform. It omitted the “Clipper” roll-bar of its predecessor, giving it a more streamlined appearance. By this time, it was just known as the Golf Cabriolet in most markets and simply the Cabrio in the U.S.
The Cabriolet was equipped with various petrol engines over its production years, mostly inline-four units. These engines were focused on providing a balance between performance and efficiency suitable for the car’s fun, open-air character. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available throughout the Cabriolet’s life cycle.
Volkswagen Cabriolet Sales Figures
The Cabriolet was well-received, especially in the U.S. and European markets. Its combination of affordability, the charm of open-top driving, and the reliability associated with the Golf platform made it a popular choice. After the Cabrio based on the Golf Mk3, Volkswagen did not immediately offer a new convertible Golf. Instead, the convertible niche in the lineup was filled by the New Beetle Convertible. It wasn’t until the Golf Mk6 that VW introduced a new Golf Cabriolet in 2011.
Volkswagen Cabriolet U.S Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 12,564 |
| 1986 | 14,173 |
| 1987 | 13,491 |
| 1988 | 12,743 |
| 1989 | 9,865 |
| 1990 | 7,590 |
| 1991 | 5,387 |
| 1992 | 7,034 |
| 1993 | 3,848 |
| 1994 | 3,838 |
| 1995 | 5,540 |
| 1996 | 5,828 |
| 1997 | 9,538 |
| 1998 | 15,230 |
| 1999 | 11,539 |
| 2000 | 14,133 |
| 2001 | 13,327 |
| 2002 | 8,675 |
