The much-loved, even somewhat legendary, Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet has been missing in action for donkey's years.
The last proper one, and only the second one ever created, was based on the Golf 3 and then facelifted with a Golf 4 nose when that generation dawned. The Golf 5's lifespan then saw VW introduce the more upmarket Eos coupe-cabriolet to appease those seeking an open-top VeeDub.
Now the Golf Cabriolet is back and no, it isn't replacing the Eos, the new Golf 6-based cabrio instead slotting beneath the latter and going back to its roots with a fabric soft-top format.
Just 4215mm in length the Golf Cabriolet is 208mm shorter than the Eos, although the cars do share a 2578mm wheelbase, which means that passenger space (which VW claims is sufficient for four occupants) should not be too bad.
The electrically-powered roof can be lowered in just 9.5 seconds (even on the move at speeds of up to 29km/h) and when it's stashed away, the boot still swallows 250 litres of luggage.
In design terms, the new cabrio is of course heavily based on its Golf hatchback sister, although a heavily raked windscreen gives it a sportier appearance, while new LED taillights and a deep crease in the boot lid add to its individuality. On the inside, the cabrio matches the hatchback in almost every respect.
To keep safety concerns to a minimum, the Golf Cabriolet comes with an active roll-over protective system, which VW hasn't elaborated on but which we suspect consists of a traditional roll-over hoop that pops out when sensors indicate that the (you know what) is about to hit the fan.
As you'd also expect from a car that's had its roof chopped off, engineers have strengthened the structure, via a reinforced window frame and structural modifications to the underbody, side panels, cross-members and doors, to ensure that the car's torsional stiffness doesn't go too pear-shaped.
We are currently awaiting confirmation from VWSA on whether the Golf Cabriolet is heading for South Africa.
Even if it does, we're unlikely to see as wide an engine line-up as the Europeans have - which is pretty much everything you get in the Golf hatch.
They're even throwing in the 155kW 2-litre TSI motor from the GTI. This in addition to 118kW and 90kW 1.4 TSIs and the 77kW 1.2 TSI on the petrol front and the 77kW 1.6- and 103kW 2-litre TDI diesels.