Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet spied

The new Volkswagen Golf will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, but there’s life in the MkVI car yet, as these spy shots of the VW Golf R Cabriolet confirm.

The Golf R Cabriolet will join the recently-launched GTI Cabriolet and will be sold alongside the all-new Golf when orders for that open in December.

A concept version was shown at the Worthersee tuning event in Austria last year, but these spy shots confirm that a production model is nearing reality.

The Golf R Cabriolet will feature a deeper front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, twin chromed exhausts and 19-inch alloys. The suspension will be lowered by 25mm, while the inside will get sports seats, nappa leather upholstery and piano black trim.

It will be powered by the same 266bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that powers the Golf R hatchback. Performance will be brisk, too, with a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds and a top speed of 155mph - making it the fastest open top Golf ever sold.

Prices are likely to be high, though. The Golf GTI Cabriolet costs a little over £3,600 more than the equivalent hatchback, which suggests the Golf R Cabriolet will start at around £35,000.