by Rare Volkswagen Polo GTI Cabrio Concept
Volkswagen recalled the unique Polo GTI Cabrio concept, created by Karmann in 2007. It was a special specimen with a folding fabric roof that contained sliding glass panels. However, the project never went into series production, likely due to high development costs.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Polo model, the company presented a collection of rare variants of this car. Among them was the Polo GTI cabriolet, which was first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although the car was not planned for mass production, Karmann engineers put a lot of effort into making it functional.
Innovative Roof Design
One of the most interesting features of the concept was its folding soft top with a sunroof and glass rear window. This allowed the driver to enjoy the feeling of open space even with the top up. The interior was equipped with lighting, making it brighter and more spacious.
“Converting a hatchback into a cabriolet required much more than just cutting off the roof”
Karmann completely redesigned the body, adding new bumpers, different rear panels, and special elements. Under the hood remained the standard 1.8-liter engine producing 150 hp, but the chassis may have been modified to compensate for the additional weight.
Why Was the Project Cancelled?
Despite the well-thought-out design, the Polo GTI Cabrio never became a production model. The main reason was likely the high costs of adapting the hatchback into a cabriolet. Furthermore, in 2009, a new generation of the Polo was released, which finally buried this idea.
In those years, other manufacturers also experimented with compact cabriolets, but most such projects were canceled due to economic impracticality. The last production models of this class were the Peugeot 207 CC, Nissan Micra C+C, and Opel Tigra, but demand for them eventually disappeared.
Today, this concept remains an interesting example of how Volkswagen experimented with unusual ideas. Although it never made it to production, its technical solutions demonstrate how complex converting a conventional car into a cabriolet can be.
