The nameplate was introduced in the 2006 model year as Volkswagen’s compact four-seat convertible coupé, combining a fixed-looking steel roof with a folding hardtop and a large glass sunroof. It emerged from the earlier Concept C study shown in Geneva in 2004, which previewed the car’s unusual roof concept and set the tone for the production model’s distinctive mix of coupé styling and open-air versatility. Volkswagen positioned it as a more upscale, design-led alternative to conventional convertibles, aimed at buyers who wanted year-round usability without giving up the look and feel of a closed-roof car.
The car was built in Palmela, Portugal, and remained on sale through the 2015 model year. Over its life it received a mid-cycle update and a series of appearance and equipment packages, but the core identity stayed the same: a niche, stylish 2+2 drop-top with a complex folding metal roof. That roof was the model’s defining feature and also one of its biggest talking points, since it allowed the car to present as a sleek coupé when closed while still delivering open-top motoring at the push of a button.
In Volkswagen’s lineup, the nameplate occupied a relatively rare space between mainstream mass-market models and more emotional lifestyle vehicles. It never became a high-volume halo car, but it earned a following among buyers who appreciated its engineering, usability, and distinctive profile. The model ended after its 2015 run, closing a nine-year production period that remains the only chapter in its history.