Volkswagen EOS review

Volkswagen EOS review

You have to hand it to Volkswagen: the German automaker which has been battling to keep its brand relevant in North America in the face of strong competition from several Asian automakers, has hit a home run in the form of its latest model, the Eos. Named for the Greek goddess of
the dawn, this all-new cabriolet with a power-retractable roof is certain to grab all of the attention that it deserves. Let's take a look at VW's latest model filling the automaker's expanding line up.

When it comes to lookers, the EOS has been styled with the right combination
of flair and sport. Powered by the automaker's 2.0L turbo four, the EOS is no slacker as it pushes more than 200 horses from its compact frame. Seating four adults comfortably, the 2+2 coupe+sunroof+convertible shares its platform with the Golf and Jetta, but with all new body
panels.

For drivers who want even more oomph, a more powerful version of the EOS is also available in the form of a 3.2L V6 producing 250 horses. Both engine choices include a 6 speed manual transmission or VW’s Direct-Shift gearbox.

The Eos comes equipped, not stripped, and at a starting price of around $28,000 that is to be expected. In addition to the retractable top which also comes with an embedded sunroof, the sports package option – expected to be chosen by a significant amount of buyers – includes leather seating, heated seat surfaces, brushed aluminum interior, DVD-based navigation system, 6 disc changer, side curtain air bags for the front seat passengers, rollover protection, and much more.

Fully packaged, the top of the line Eos will retail for just over $36,000 close to the range of the Audi A4, but a full $10,000 less than the Volvo C70, a car with a similar roof configuration.

Power hungry drivers will be satisfied with the strength of the base engine which will propel occupants from zero to sixty in just 6.4 seconds. True to form, the Eos will also deliver on gas mileage as the early EPA figures say that the car will get a very respectable 32 mpg on the highway.

Volkswagen seems to be making its best move in more than a decade to market cars that Americans really want to drive. The Rabbit is new, the Passat has been redesigned, and the GTI continues to grab sales. With the Scirocco expected to make its return and the Phaeton slated for an overhaul, the Eos’ arrival comes in the middle of a true revival for VW and just in time too.

Volkswagen EOS has been awarded the "PopSci's Best of What's New 2006"
from Popular Science Magazine.
Volkswagens sleek new EOS brings the advantages of hardtop convertibles structural rigidity and better cold-weather insulation to the masses.
Not only is it among the first hardtop convertible four-seaters for less than $30,000, it`s the first at any price with a fully functional sunroof.
Spanning the entire width of the roof, the sunroof slides back to expose a full seven square feet of open air.
When you want the top totally down, the five-piece roof folds into the trunk in 25 seconds and leaves enough room for four suitcases.
$28,000;
Popular Science

Volkswagen Eos's odd looks will probably keep it from having the success of the New Beetle, but looks aside, the Eos offers a lot of practicality and some real tech niceties.