reviewed for Times Union’s Autos Weekly
by Dan Lyons

Hard top, sunroof or convertible? Each choice has its following. Hardtops are quiet, snug and secure. Convertibles allow spontaneous sun worship. Sunroofs split the difference: more sun than a hardtop, less wind than a ragtop. The new Volkswagen Eos blurs the boundaries. The successor to the VW Cabrio, Eos is a four seat sporty car, with a split personality. It’s a hardtop. It’s a convertible. It’s a coupe with sunroof.

Actually, it’s all of the above. The latest VW is new from the top down, but the conversation starts with the top up. Eos’ metal lid is soundproof and weather tight in a way that even the best cloth tops can’t match. Embedded in the top is a wide, tinted glass sunroof. The hardtop can also be completely retracted to transform into a convertible. The top dropping is a process worth watching; a mechanical ballet in about 25 seconds, as the lid gracefully folds and recedes beneath the rear deck.

Eos becomes the second convertible in the VW lineup, taking its place alongside the New Beetle Convertible. Volkswagen doesn’t expect the new model to steal buyers from the Beetle; the cars are seen as attracting two different audiences. One obvious difference between the two ragtops is looks. The Beetle’s familiar, friendly, rounded form contrasts sharply with the more angular Eos. The Eos front end is its most striking side, set off by the shield shaped grille that is becoming the new face of Volkswagen and its cousin Audi. I continue to like the in-your-face face of VW and Audi in all of its forms - it’s distinctive, and instantly identifies the car’s family of origin.

Many convertibles stow their roofs beneath the rear deck. It makes for a smooth, top-down look, with less fuss and feathers than fitting a clumsy boot. The downside is that any time you put the top in the trunk, you leave less room for other things. Eos fares better than most in this regard. Top down, it holds 6.6 cubic feet of cargo. Bigger than most small convertibles, it has enough room to handle a weekend getaway, provided that those getting away exercise some luggage restraint. However, once the lid is lowered, the trunk has a mighty small mouth, so remember to load your luggage before you drop the top.

With a little accommodation between passengers, you can fit adults front and back inside. If you’re only packing two people, the front seats have enough leg room travel to seat a pair of basketball players. The view from the front row is a handsome one. The wedge shaped center stack houses straight forward controls. A heavy brow arches out over the main dash display, shielding the gauges from sunshine washout. Seats are bolstered just enough to keep you planted during spirited driving. The cabin materials have a quality look and feel; fit and finish are first rate. Options include walnut or aluminum trim, a big screen, center dash navigation system, and a 600 watt, 10 channel, 10 speaker audio system that rocks even with the roof down at left lane, Northway speeds. An auxiliary sound system input jack for your MP3 player is standard.

Eos does a much better job of wind management than most meetings I’ve been to. Top up, it’s a quiet cabin. The sunroof is fitted with a pop-up wind deflector that effectively nudges passing airflows out of the cabin, making it free of wind buffeting. When the top is razed and no one’s in the back seat, an optional wind blocker can be easily installed behind the two front seats. With windows up and windscreen deployed, Eos is remarkably quiet and draft-free, even at highway speeds.

The combination of a near equal front/rear weight balance, McPherson strut front and independent link rear suspension give the Eos sporting reflexes. It’s nimble handling and exhibits little in the way of cowl shake. Buyers choose from two drivetrains. Standard is a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder, optional (and coming soon) is a 3.2 litre V-6. I’ve driven the narrow angle six in other VW Audi products and it’s a smooth, strong, torquey motor. But, the 2.0T is for my money, VW’s best engine. Rated at 200 horsepower, 206 lb. ft. of torque, it’s quick off the line and smooth at highway speeds. Turbo lag is nonexistent and economy is very respectable. EPA rates the EOS at 23 mpg’s city and 32 highway. The 2.0T gets from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds (actually quicker than the six, @ 7.3 seconds). Pick the 2.0T and you choose from a six speed manual or six speed Tiptronic automatic, with six speed Direct Shift Gearbox. With these transmissions, it’s strictly driver’s choice. The manual is smooth shifting. Ditto for the DSG, and those who like to shift sans clutch will find that the VW/Audi unit offers the quickest gear to gear response of any ‘manumatic’ transmission on the market, this side of an exotic car. The only ding on the DSG is the lack of steering wheel mounted paddles. As is, any manual shifting must be done by blipping the center console mounted shifter.

The latest addition to the VW lineup make a nice first impression. It looks sharp, drives well and the trick top technology allows the driver to easily choose how much sunshine to let in. And unlike many sporty cars, its front wheel drive and seating for four qualify it as practical enough to be a year ‘round driver, not just a fair weather friend.

Number and Dollars

2007 Volkswagen Eos

MSRP: $27,990

Drivetrain

Engine: 2.0 litre, intercooled, turbocharged four cylinder

Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5,100 rpm

Torque: 207 lb. ft. @ 1,800 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Weights and Measures

Wheelbase: 101.5" Height: 56.8”

Length: 173.5” Weight: 3,505 lb.

Width: 71.4”

Interior

Head Room: 37.5”f/35.8”r

Cargo Volume 6.6 cubic feet

Chassis

Suspension: McPherson strut front, four link independent rear

Brakes: Four wheel disc, standard ABS

Mileage

EPA city/highway mpg - 23/32

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