Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

Volkswagen has lifted the lid on the most powerful convertible Golf ever - the GTI Cabriolet. It will use the same 207bhp engine as the hatch, and is available with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearboxes. Staying true to the GTI name, the cabriolet keeps all of the usual GTI attitude, with its 17-inch wheels and tartan-seats.

There's a slight penalty involved in lugging the extra weight, but 0-62mph is still completed in a respectable 7.3sec, compared to 6.9sec for the standard hatch. The soft-top Golf tops out at 147mph, just 2mph down on the hatch.

Although official lauch or pricing information have yet to be announced, the car will go on show at the Geneva motor show on 6 March, where more details are likely to appear. UK sales are expected to start during the second half of the year.

All of the 2012 Geneva motor show news is here