- VW remembers the quirky Polo GTI Cabrio concept built by Karmann in 2007.
- The one-off came with a retractable fabric roof featuring sliding glass panels.
- The project was eventually scrapped, most likely due to high development costs.
Turning 50 is a big deal for any model line, and Volkswagen is making sure the Polo marks the occasion properly. To celebrate half a century of its plucky supermini, VW has gathered a collection of notable Polo variants from its archives in Germany. Among the more intriguing exhibits is a rarely seen convertible version of the Polo GTI, a concept that first broke cover at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show with a few clever tricks up its sleeve.
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Built by coachbuilder Karmann only t a few years before the company folded in 2010, the Polo GTI Cabrio was never intended as a showroom model, but it wasn’t just a fanciful design study either. The level of engineering involved, especially in terms of bodywork and roof mechanics, suggests small-scale production may have at least been on the table.
An Unusual Take on Open-Air Driving
One of the most distinctive features of the concept is its multi-function soft top. The fabric roof includes a sliding glass sunroof and a glass rear window, which gives the car a semi-open-air feel even when the roof is fully in place. The design adds versatility while preserving that convertible atmosphere. Inside, an illuminated headliner enhances the sense of space and brightness, particularly useful when the skies aren’t cooperating.
Volkswagen
Turning the Polo from a hardtop hatch into a two-door cabriolet required far more than just cutting off the roof. Karmann developed a custom tailgate, reworked the rear quarter panels, and added bespoke body components. The redesigned front and rear bumpers hint at sportier intent, featuring larger intakes and dual central exhaust outlets that give the small GTI a more aggressive stance.
Push a button, and the red canvas roof folds away electronically. Depending on whether the roof is stowed or in place, the boot offers either 304 liters (10.7 cubic feet) or 148 liters (5.2 cubic feet) of cargo space. The cabin is set up to seat four and features foldable rear seats to enhance practicality. Karmann also incorporated an automatic rollover protection system, just in case things go sideways.
The concept is based on the fourth-gen Polo GTI, fitted with the stock 1.8-liter engine that generates 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS). It’s unclear whether the suspension was adjusted to account for the added structural weight from the cabrio conversion, but the car does ride on distinctive 17-inch black OZ alloy wheels with red accents and seems to sit on a wider track than the regular hatch.
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More: What Was The Ugliest Retractable Hardtop Convertible?
A One-Off That Stayed That Way
Despite its well-executed design and clever packaging, the Polo GTI Cabrio never made it to production. The likely culprit was cost as turning a hatchback into a convertible isn’t cheap, and for a niche product, the return on investment probably didn’t make sense. The arrival of VW’s fifth-generation Polo in 2009 may have sealed its fate.
Volkswagen wasn’t alone in toying with the idea of small convertible hot hatches during that era. Peugeot built a 208 Cabriolet prototype with a retractable soft-top, although the project was shelved in 2011, also due to high development costs.
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As for actual production models, the last crop of small convertible hatchbacks included the Peugeot 206 CC, Nissan Micra C+C, and Opel Tigra, all featuring retractable hardtops. The Ford StreetKa bucked the trend slightly with a traditional fabric roof, but the segment as a whole faded out as consumer tastes moved on.
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