Volkswagen, Opel update classics

(Volkswagen)

German automakers Volkswagen and Opel announced further details on new versions of some of their most popular models this week, aiming squarely at young drivers.

Just in time for summer, Volkswagen released further details on the new Golf Cabriolet, along with a slew of new pictures.

With a soft top which opens fully in nine seconds (while the vehicle is traveling at a speed of up to 30 km/h), Volkswagen says that the Golf Cabriolet is designed for all seasons, with a ride that is one of the quietest of its kind when the top is up.

The roll bar has been removed, replaced instead with a rollover protection system which deploys in a fraction of a second in the event of an accident.

It will be available with six turbo direct-injection engines - four gas engines ranging from 1.2 to 2.0-liter and a 1.6 and 2.0-liter turbodiesel, with the 1.6-liter diesel offering Volkswagen's BlueMotion technology to cut fuel consumption to 4.4l/100km (equivalent to 117 g/km CO2).

While Volkswagen is targeting those looking for wind-in-your-hair freedom with its €23,625 cabriolet, Opel's new Corsa OPC "Nürburgring Edition" offers a very different experience.

Produced by Opel Performance Center (OPC), the new Corsa is a far cry from the city runarounds often found in European cities - with a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds, it's as likely to be screaming past as crawling in front of you.

Topping out at 230 km/h, the "Nürburgring Edition" will be produced in limited quantities, with only 500 units coming to showrooms, but drivers can expect a high quality model if they manage to secure one - the design underwent a specific 10,000 kilometer test program around Nürburgring’s Nordschleife track to fine-tune the chassis.

The vehicle will join its big brother, the Astra OPC, from summer with a German recommended retail price of €27,650.