Retro Road Test Volkswagen Eos & MG B
May 19, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Retro Road Test – Volkswagen Eos & MG B
Could Eos be the modern day MG B?
Models Tested:
- 2008 Volkswagen Eos Coupe Cabriolet Auto – $52,290 (RRP)
- 1968 MG B Roadster Four Speed Manual – $3,355 (when new)
- by Matt Brogan
When the opportunity arose to drive one of the most popular and well-loved roadsters of all time just so happened to coincide with my week of driving one of the most stunning coupe-cabriolets of the modern age, an idea was spawned – introducing our first Retro Road Test.
This review aims to combine the two loves (old cars and new cars) that so many of our reader’s share in what I hope will become a semi-regular column and an enjoyable comparison of appreciating just how far cars have come, and indeed what becomes of the cars that were once as popular as the old MG.
Eos has been a remarkable draw card for VGA (Volkswagen Group Australia) since going on sale here in January last year and we at CarAdvice have been lucky enough to have reviewed most variants of the stunning little coupe-cabriolet to this point.
The Eos is fresh, popular and just different enough to stand out, whilst still being sufficiently reserved in its styling to attract a following beyond that of the sports car enthusiast, in much the same way the MG B first did in 1962.
Inspired by Aston Martin’s DB2/4 the Thornley designed B was never meant to be as popular as it was, a sales surprise spanning three decades and some 512,243 units (9,090 in Australia), the B was Britain’s most popular sports car and indeed MG’s largest success.
Later sold all over the world the B was especially popular in the United States and was of course sold in Australia after being reassembled from complete knock down kit at BMC’s Zetland plant in NSW.
A somewhat modern and aerodynamic design in its day, MG utilised a monocoque body for the (company’s) first time with the B offering considerable gains in strength and rigidity as well as decreased manufacturing costs. It was also the first MG to offer luxuries such as wind up windows and a glove box.
Being a car of so many initiatives, the MG B was also one of the first cars to include controlled crumple zones boasting that both driver and passenger were fully protected in a frontal collision up to 30mph (48km/h), though I think somehow I’d prefer the airbags offered in the Eos for that one.
Pre-production crash test circa 1962
With brisk performance and acclaimed handling the MG B could almost manage 1 g in turns (0.96) which for its day was rather remarkable and something many modern vehicles still struggle to match. Our little car though was sadly in need of some TLC and I was not about to put this theory to the test.
You may very well be onto something here. The sort of people you see in the Eos are very much like the descendents of those =with funny caps who were seen in Morris Oxford convertibles (sorry, MGBs) in the late sixties.
The condition of that MG looks OK in photos. DOn’t suppose you guys have the same problems with wire worm as we do in wet n soggy UK.
Mines the EOS too – but in diesel format please. Regardig the wind maker, i’m sure my wife will tell you I already have enogh on that. Ha Ha
What about the Alfa Spyder 2000 series with a manual fabric roof which you could drop or put up on the fly in less than 15 secs. A whole lot better looking and a much better performer than the rather slow MGB.
True – I was more an Austin Healey fan myself when all is said and done, and yes Alfas were brilliant then too, but sadly the MG was my only option given the time frame.
MG capable of nearly 1g cornering??? Don’t dare put a small bump in the road while attempting this!!!! And make sure you’re running slicks as well…..
Mazda cashed in big time on the market that sadly missed the MG-B’s demise.
My accountant (60+) is a diehard MG afficionado and has a number of them, all have been fully restored, and a couple are daily drivers. I’ll have to suggest to him that he get an EOS (with the amount he charges me, he’ll easily be able to afford it) as it should suit his ageing image a little better!
It’s great occasionally to see how far we’ve come in the motoring world – the old saying “they don’t make them like they used to” is so, so true – thankfully :)
1g – a Pal of mine has a Jensen Healey which could do 1g. Awsome
Another vote for the Alfa Spyder. Mum used to have one when I was a kid and she’d let me sit on her lap and turn on the indicators. Haha, imagine doing that in this day and age!
Nice article, thanks. Kind of pointless, but valuable and enjoyable all at the same time.
Retro Road Test is an awesome idea. Looking forward to seeing more of them!
Eos looks lively, I am not sure if it targets the same market with the MG B but it sures is an excellent attempt by VW to enter a french dominated market.
Does anyone else not see how badly mis-matched these two cars are? Other than both being ‘convertibles’, where else are the similarities? I absolutely love the idea of a retro comparison, but this article is like comparing a new Bentley with a 70’s Ford LTD just because they have ‘big chrome grilles’. All of the articles on CarAdvice are excellent, well researched, on topic and well written – this one is no exception, except that it is kind of pointless and frustrating. If future retro compo’s are going to be written, I’d prefer the subject cars to have some tangible relevance to each other. Like I said, great idea though.
2 similar style cars that offer similar experiences to their owners. would have been similar cost when new and probably marketed to and purchased by similar people. both cars fall into the not cheap but not expensive fun, enjoyable convertable category.
the cars are what 30 years apart so obvioulsy they are going to be wildly mechanically different, however, Im not seeing your point Shaun, perhaps you might you might need to explain your point of view.
of course, if on rainy days water makes its way into the EOS cabin from all angles like the MG they would have to be perfect for comparison…..
Mmmmm MGB classic. Veedub not and Fugly.
Excellent concept CA!!!!!!!!!
Learned a bit more about the MGB too! Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback everyone. We’ll keep you posted on the timing of the next one and welcome your suggestions for future Retro Roadtests.
Maybe a comparo between a mazda rx-8 to a rx-2 would be good to see how far the rotary engine has come written up in a nice little review like this? would make for a good topic.
How about a comparo between the Fiesta XR4 and Escort RS2000?
My wife drives an Eos & loves it, You don’t have to wear a hat like some of the comments,you hardly get any wind so its
not a problem It’s a Great Car.
Cheers AL
I own 1967 MGB and love it. Set up and driven properly there are not too many cars that will out handle a B on tight and twisting roads. Having said that I am sure that the VW is a fine vehicle. My problem is every time I purchase a new car I get sick of it in about one month and go back to enjoying the old MG. There is just something about it.
I have a USA 1974 1/2 MGB, (yes i do like the rubber bumper models too!!!) I get a new car every few years , and as another reader, just get bored and go back to my B as much as possible. Needs a new engine though!!! Good article!
Steve , Melbourne
Oh,,, and I have a Jag XJ6 S2 which I am slowly restoring, although I love driving it…It is a sickness (old british cars) ;-)
Was the first Monocoque M.G. the 1955 Magnette ?
The “Y” Type a Sedan and the Magnette both had windup windows and gloveboxes ! Probably earlier models did too ! SA, WA,etc, etc.
The M.G.B. received synchro on first gear in about 1966-7 or so and retained it to the end !
Finally, will the VW Eos be as loved for the same period of time as any of the M.G. Models ?
Good one, Matt Brogan, good one !