Volkswagen offered an open-top version for the Golf IV range, but there was a trick; it was actually a Golf III with Golf IV headlights.
The German carmaker introduced the Golf IV in August 1997 as a 3- and 5-door hatchback. In 1998, it introduced the station-wagon. But something was missing: the convertible. There was no gain in building a new vehicle from some points of view, so VW decided to do a trick: it took the Golf III Cabriolet and transformed it into a Golf IV Cabriolet. Something like having a non-facelifted model and changing the bumpers and headlights to look like the facelifted version.

Its headlights were clearly carried-over from the MK IV version, with four lamps inside each headlight. Most of the front body panels were taken or adapted to the new look. But, viewed from its sides, the car revealed its true origins, the MK III version. A thick B-pillar was planted behind the doors, with a safety-arch crossing the car from left to right side. In the back, the canvas-top was exposed behind the rear bench when it was folded.

Inside, the carmaker installed exactly the same dashboard as in the Golf III range, with a driver-oriented center stack. The Golf IV Cabriolet offered just cranked windows, no AC, and no stereo on the entry-level. The upper trim levels featured power-windows, a good sound system, and automatic transmission.

Under the hood, Volkswagen installed some of the engines which were available on the Golf III. With a choice of gasoline and diesel units, the Golf IV Cabriolet was an appealing vehicle in its class.