Teresa’s View
Wow. VW made a car just for the Northwest’s wildly unpredictable weather. Named after the Greek goddess of dawn, the all-new Eos is a coupe-sunroof-convertible that can take full advantage of a brief sun break or zip back up again should the heavens suddenly open. Not satisfied with such a typical either-or solution, VW added a sunroof for those famously nebulous Northwest climatic conditions.
Although the Eos’ top is only one of many technological innovations on this clever little car, it’s quite a neat party trick. The five-panel hard top tilts and slides using a series of sensors to fold neatly — and compactly — into its pert little tail in 25 seconds.
Try the maneuver at a stoplight for maximum effect.
The advantages of a hard top versus a ragtop are well known. The rigid shell — made even firmer on the Eos by hot-stamped body parts — provides a quieter interior and better protection from thieves.
Most remarkably, the Eos looks magnificent as either a coupe or convertible. Undeniably a Volkswagen, the Eos manages to be voluptuous and athletic; exotic and familiar.
No wonder the talented Eos has already become the top-selling retractable hardtop in Europe.
Slotted between VW’s compact Jetta and mid-size Passat, the U.S. version of the Eos comes in three versions — a 2.0 four-cylinder stripped-down base model, a 2.0-liter turbo-charged trim; and a performance-oriented 3.2-liter with a narrow-angle V-6 that delivers 250 horsepower. The 3.2L features a celebrated double-clutch, six-speed transmission with Tiptronic.
Superb presentation extends to the interior, where a choice of three schemes creates a clean, crisp, high-tech atmosphere. Our 2.0T came loaded with standard features commonly found on more expensive vehicles, such as dual automatic climate controls, heated front seats and 24-hour Roadside Assistance. An optional 600-watt, 10-speaker audio system, custom-designed by Danish manufacturer Dynaudio, is an audiophile’s must-have.
What Is It?: The Eos is a two-door, four-passenger, front-wheel drive, hardtop coupe-convertible. VW says it’s the least expensive convertible with a retractable hardtop on the market. Prices start at $28K. The 2.0T is EPA-rated at 23 mpg city and 32 highway.
The Back Seat: Rearseat space just barely allows for actual passengers. The front seats automatically slide forward for improved access, then return to the previous position.
Safety: Each Eos includes a long list of advanced passive and active safety features including electronic stability control. The system works with anti-lock brakes and traction control to stabilize the vehicle — and help prevent an accident — by applying the brakes to individual wheels at the onset of a skid. A Rollover Protection System is activated when the top is down. Other standard safety features include front and side airbags for front seat occupants and head-thorax airbags that run the length of the car.
And the Winner Is…: Eos was named the “Best of What’s New” in Popular Mechanics automotive category. Autobytel’s Editor’s Choice Awards selected the Eos “Best New Convertible under $75,000.”