When you talk about the Volkswagen Eos you cannot help having the convertible's hardtop disappearing act be first and foremost on your list of great impressions. However, that hard top is just the hook -- Eos is sporty fun that is best enjoyed in the coming warm months of spring and summer.
While hardtop convertibles are still rare enough to gain more than their fair share of stares, the really good news is that once you get past the topless Eos, there is still a lot to talk about for the casual driver as well as the real driving enthusiast. Eos' roof utilizes eight motors that power the convertible functions from unlatching the roof from the windshield header to the flip-and-fold disappearing act into the trunk. It only takes 25 seconds from coupe to convertible.
For those VW true-ists and the Cabrio-minded Club, the good news is that there is a distinct kinship here between the Eos and the well-known Cabriolet. Thankfully, Eos has plenty of masculine power to make this convertible notable from the moment you jump on the accelerator.
Two engines are offered in the Eos. My tester had the 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder offering up 200 horsepower and 207 lbs-ft torque. The second engine is a 3.2-liter V6 delivering a fun-enhancing 250 horsepower.
As I usually do, I'd have to opt for the 50-hp step up if I were choosing an Eos. That is not a comment on any deficiency in VW's tried-and-true 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder, but rather a profound taste for as much power as I can get with such a relatively tiny (3,386 lbs) car. Truth is this 2.0 turbo is an outstanding engine that when dropped into the Eos' smaller quarters delivers a flat torque curve that blows most everything in its class off the road.
For those "enthusiasts" I referred to earlier, the manual take of the Eos' 6-speed transmission snaps to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds. Volkswagen claims 130 mph as the Eos max speed. My tester had the Tiptronic 6-speed with the paddle shifters. Responsive and tight in every circumstance encountered, this configuration is convenient and a lot of fun to drive.
At $31, 695, my Eos tester was no toy car. While the smaller spaces may insinuate youthful enthusiasm, you will not find a lot of young drivers owning Eos models. My tester was packaged perfectly at a base price of $29,990. Add on the $1,075 expense for the 6-speed DSG automatic transmission and there's little need to load on options.
Inside the Eos you have the pleasure of being surrounded by VW's high-quality materials integrated into the functional dash and leather seating. One of the more notable interior features is the sun roof in the hardtop convertible. Like most sunroofs, this glass panel tilts open for ventilation.
Driving topless is made more comfortable by the pair of windblockers located in the cabin. One is located upright behind the back seats, the other snaps up from the windshield frame. While wind noise is actually increased a bit by these, that is what the radio is for - in the spirit of open-air driving, just turn it up and wind noise is not worth mentioning.
Safety is clearly engineered into the Eos. Two rings behind the back seats provide rollover protection for occupants while stability control and front and side airbags are standard on all models.
Last, but not least, is interior space. Granted, you are in a convertible and one accepts that a certain percentage of space must go toward the systems that run the hardtop convertible as well as extra rigid frames required to drop the top and still maintain safely levels of structure stiffness.
I thought the front passenger space was more than adequate for any size adult. Rear seats were predictably tighter on space and legroom was a bit cramped. This is a functional back seat and passengers will not be uncomfortable sitting back there -- though I'd avoid long road trips if you miss the 'shotgun' call.
In all, Eos really is everything you see. It's an attractive coupe and an impressive and fun driving convertible all in one. With VW's legendary power and responsive systems doing all the heavy lifting, there's plenty of time to enjoy the scenery while listening to CDs, MP3s or just the wind in your hair. |
