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Cabriolet  (base model)

1985-1992

Mechanical Specifications

Exterior Specifications

Interior Specifications

Color Combinations

Optional Equipment

Model Notes

 

 Mechanical Specifications

Standard features:

  • Front-wheel drive

  • SOHC, transverse-mounted engine (see table below for more specifics)

  • Manual 5-speed transmission

  • Dual-tone horn

  • GTI suspension (front: independent MacPherson struts with coil springs and shock absorbers; rear: independent stabilizer axle with trailing arms, coil springs and shock absorbers)

  • 9.4" front disc brakes; 7.1" rear drum brakes

  • Rack & pinion steering

  • 13.8 gallon fuel tank with two fuel pumps (one internal, one external)

  • 65amp alternator; 90amp alternator for A/C-equipped models

  • Up-shift light on manual transmission models for 1985-1987

  • Oxygen sensor counter box installed on 1985-1987 models

  • Power steering (1990+)

Model Year Engine Code Fuel Inj. Engine Type hp Comps'n Ratio Torque Trans. Code Gear Box Top Speed
1985-1987 JH CIS 1.8L, 4 cyl. 95 @ 5500rpm 8.5:1 100 @ 3000rpm 9A 5S  
1985-1987 JH CIS 1.8L, 4 cyl. 95 @ 5500rpm 8.5:1 100 @ 3000rpm TNA 3A  
1988-1989 JH CIS 1.8L, 4 cyl. 95 @ 5500rpm 8.5:1 100 @ 3000rpm ACD 5S  
1988-1989 JH CIS 1.8L, 4 cyl. 95 @ 5500rpm 8.5:1 100 @ 3000rpm TNA 3A  
1990-1992 2H Digifant 1.8L, 4 cyl. 98 @ 5400rpm 10:1 100 @ 3000rpm AUG 5S 102mph
1990-1992 2H Digifant 1.8L, 4 cyl. 98 @ 5400rpm 10:1 100 @ 3000rpm TNA 3A 99mph
 Exterior Specifications
Standard features:
  • Black, textured plastic fender flare "extensions" added to all fender flares (1985-1987)

  • Rear badge now says "Cabriolet";  on opposite side of trunk lid, "Volkswagen" badge has been updated and a "VW" logo badge has been added; 1988+ Canadian models now follow European badging: "Golf" or "Golf Cabriolet" is on right side of trunk lid

  • Lockable gas cap

  • Anodized aluminum bumpers, 1985-1987: bumper over-riders and shock-style bumper brackets installed on 1985 models; bumpers use solid bumper brackets for 1986-1987 models which bring the bumpers closer to the body

  • Single-round, black radiator grille with bright aluminum trim for 1985-1987

  • Updated look for 1988-1993: Clipper kit (color-matched bumper covers, fender flares and side skirts) and dual-round headlight grille added

  • Third brake light in trunk lid beginning with 1986 model year to comply with federal law

  • Grain vinyl, 3-layer top with electrically-defrosted glass rear window; vinyl top boot (cover)

  • "Donut" spare (black steel wheel)

  • Black, textured mirror housings up to 1990; color-matched mirror housings from 1991 onward

  • Black door handles with bright aluminum inserts up to 1988; black door handles with black inserts from 1989 onward

  • Side trim is black with chrome inserts up to 1988 and is solid black from 1989 onward; windshield molding is chrome up to 1988 and is black for 1989 onward; rocker panel trim is chrome up to 1987; side window trim is chrome up to 1988 and is black from 1989 onward

  • Operating vent/"quarter" windows up to 1989; fixed vent windows from 1990 onward

  • Models without factory-installed A/C came with ashtrays in the dash, below the HVAC controls; models sold with factory-installed A/C came equipped with center vents in the dash (below the HVAC controls) and the ashtray was moved to the kneebar, above the center console

  • "Tarantula" (1985) and "Zandvoort" (1986-1987) offered as wheel upgrades

Wheels Paint Colors

1985

13" steel: 16 lbs.; 5½Jx13; 4x100;

 ET38 offset

Part #321601025G + 321601151B

 

Tires: 175/70SR13

1986-1988

13" steel: 16 lbs.; 5½Jx13; 4x100;

 ET38 offset

Part #191601025D + 191601149D, 191601157C

 

Tires: 175/70SR13

1989-1992

14" steel: 17 lbs.; 6Jx14; 4x100;

 ET38 offset

Part #191601025K + 191601149G

 

Tires: 185/60HR14

1991-1992

14" wheel cover: optional for

14" steel wheels

Part #

 

Tires: 185/60HR14

Color Code Years
Aero Blue Metallic** LD5V 1985
Alpine White L90E 1989-1992

Black*

L041

1989-1992

Bronze Gray Metallic

LA8Y

1986-1989

Capri Green Metallic

LA6U

1991

Flash Red

LP3G

1992

Flash Silver Metallic

LP7Y

1985-1989

Graphite Metallic*

LB7V 1985, 1987, 1989

Green Pearl Metallic

LC6V

1991-1992

Helios Blue Metallic*

LA5Y

1988-1990

Inka Blue Metallic

LK5T

1991-1992

Jasmine Yellow

LK1D

1992

Mars Red 80

LA3A

1985

Nugget Yellow

LK1B

1990-1991

Papyrus Green Metallic

LB6V

1985

Pewter Gray Metallic

LA7Y

1986-1988

Rock Gray Metallic

LK7V

1985

Titian Red Metallic*

LB3V 1985-1987

Tornado Red

LY3D 1986-1992

**1985 Canadian color only

*1985 USA color only

 Interior Specifications

Standard features:

  • Targa-style rollbar

  • Removable, carpeted parcel shelf behind rear seat

  • AM/FM stereo cassette radio (anti-theft radio from 1987 onward) with two 4x6" front speakers and two 3.5" rear speakers for 1985-1990; two 5¼" front speakers with 1" tweeters in the door panels and two 4x6" rear speakers for 1991 onward

  • Remote-operated outside mirrors

  • Swivel sun visors; vanity mirror in passenger sun visor

  • Light in luggage compartment

  • Intermittent windshield wiping system

  • Carpet trim on lower front door panels

  • Cigarette lighter & ashtray

  • Inside hood release

  • Fresh air and heater control with 4-speed fan

  • Courtesy light with switch

  • Fully carpeted floor with carpeted floor mats; rubber-backed carpet for luggage compartment

  • Reclining front bucket seats with individual, adjustable headrests; rear seatback folds forward for additional cargo space

  • Center console with "cubby-hole" and VDO gauges (oil pressure, oil temperature, volts)

    • Cassette tape storage added to center console cubby-area (cassette holder is illuminated for 1989+); cassette tape storage holds 4 tapes up to 1989 and 3 tapes from 1990 onward

  • "Cabby dash" remains unchanged from previous years (see Rabbit Convertible page); brown dashes & consoles installed with brown/beige interiors up to 1989

    • GTI sport steering wheel for 1985-1987; updated steering wheel added for 1988-1989; airbag steering wheel added for 1990+ (Canada not included; '88-'89 steering wheel was used instead)

  • Kneebar style changed for 1990+ to accommodate new features: driver's airbag and power window switches for the power-assisted front windows (models with white interiors have white kneebars and center consoles while gray interiors have gray kneebars and center consoles)

  • Rear seat shoulder belts installed in 1991.5+ models (boots have cutouts to accommodate this) to comply with new federal regulations

  • Red interior: white model only

 Color Combinations
1985 1986 1987

Exterior

Interior

Top

Rock Gray

Gray cloth

Gray cloth (S)

Black

Flash Silver

Gray cloth

Gray cloth (S)

Blue cloth

Blue cloth (S)

Gray

Graphite

Gray cloth

Gray cloth (S)

Black

Mars Red

Gray cloth

Gray cloth (S)

Black

Titian Red

Beige cloth

Beige cloth (S)

Beige

Papyrus Green

Beige cloth

Beige cloth (S)

Beige

Exterior

Interior

Top

Bronze Gray

Beige cloth

Beige vinyl

Beige

Flash Silver

Gray cloth

Blue cloth

Black vinyl

Gray

Graphite

Gray cloth

Black vinyl

Black

Tornado Red

Gray cloth

Black vinyl

Black

Titian Red

Beige cloth

Beige vinyl

Beige

Pewter Gray

Gray cloth

Black vinyl

Black

Exterior

Interior

Top

Bronze Gray

Beige cloth

Beige

Flash Silver

Gray cloth

Blue cloth

Gray

Graphite

Gray cloth

Black

Tornado Red

Gray cloth

Black

Titian Red

Beige cloth

Beige

Pewter Gray

Gray cloth

Black

1988 1989 1990

Exterior

Interior

Top

Bronze Gray

Beige cloth

Beige

Flash Silver

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Helios Blue

Gray cloth

Dk. Blue

Pewter Gray

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Tornado Red

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Exterior

Interior

Top

Alpine White

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Black

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Flash Silver

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Graphite

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Tornado Red

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Bronze Gray

Beige cloth

Beige

Helios Blue

Gray cloth

Dk. Blue

Exterior Interior Top

Alpine White

Red cloth

Red

Black

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Nugget Yellow

White cloth

White

Tornado Red

Black/Gray cloth

Black
1991 1992  

Exterior

Interior

Top

Alpine White

White/Gray cloth

White

Black

White/Gray cloth

Black

Capri Green

White/Gray cloth

White/Gray cloth

White

Inka Blue

Blue cloth

Dk. Blue

Nugget Yellow

Black/Gray cloth

White/Gray cloth

Black

White

Tornado Red

Black/Gray cloth

White/Gray cloth

Black

White

Cloth

Red cloth

Cloth - sports

Dark Blue cloth

Exterior

Interior

Top

Alpine White

Blue cloth

White/Gray cloth

Blue

White

Black

Black/Gray cloth

Black

Flash Red

Black/Gray cloth

White/Gray cloth

Black

White

Green Pearl

White/Gray cloth

White

Inka Blue

Blue cloth

Dk. Blue

Jasmine Yellow

Black/Gray cloth

White/Gray cloth

Black

White

Tornado Red

White/Gray cloth

White

 

 Optional Equipment  (as listed in brochures)

 

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Air conditioning

P

P

P

P

P

$825

P

P

P

$895

Automatic transmission

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

$545

Power steering

P

P

P

P

P

$290

     

Cruise control

P

P

P

P

P

$225

     

Alloy wheels

P

P

P

         

Metallic paint

P

P

P

 

P

$165

   

P

$170

Cloth sport bucket seats

P

P

P

         

Leatherette upholstery

 

P

           

Heatable front seats

P

Canada

             

Stereo cassette radio

P

Canada

             

California emissions

       

P

$95

   

P

$100

 Model Notes
  • The 1990 Cabriolet was the only Volkswagen to receive a driver's side airbag for that model year.
Original USA List Prices
1985    
1986  
1987 $14,075
1988 $14,770
1989 $15,195
1990 $16,630
1991 $17,740
1992 $18,585

The Fine Print


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