- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
2.0DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
103kW, 320Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
4/5 star (2007)
Volkswagen Eos
Drop-top raises the bar
Category killer is car biz lingo for a new model that immediately shoots to best-in-class status, a performance that usually brings much happiness and profit to the company fortunate enough to have cracked it.
Category killers are rare and are becoming more so as competition increases. Recent examples include BMW's original X5, Holden's Monaro and VW's Golf GTI.
On paper and on the road, VW looks to have another category killer on its hands with its new Golf-based convertible, the Eos.
There are two versions. The base model 2.0-litre, direct-injection, turbo-diesel costs $47,990; the 2.0-litre direct-injection, turbo-petrol is $49,990. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard.
These starting prices are attractive - but VW has learned a trick or two from its premium German brand brothers and the Eos has a lengthy and expensive options list (see right).
Four airbags, stability control, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, an in-dash six-stack CD player, rain-sensing wipers, trip computer, tyre pressure indicator and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are included as standard.
The Eos is based on a modified Golf platform. The folding roof apparatus and extra floor reinforcing add 230kg.
The four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 103kW of power at 4000rpm and 320Nm of torque from 1750-2500rpm. The petrol counterpart produces 147kW of power from 5100-6000rpm and 280Nm of torque from 1800-5000rpm.
A six-speed automated manual costs an extra $2300. It uses two clutches, each of which delivers drive to three gears, so when you're in one gear the next is already engaged.
The power steering is electronically assisted. The petrol model has larger brake discs.
At the push of a button it takes about 25 seconds to raise or lower the folding metal roof, which has five major pieces.
As the bootlid assembly opens during the roof raising-lowering sequence, it extends beyond the rear of the car, so sensors detect if someone or something is within 500mm of the rear bumper.
If so, a warning sounds and the roof won't open. You can override this by pushing the roof button a second time.
Incorporated in the roof is a power-operated sunroof in the main panel. A pair of roll bars automatically pop out from behind the back seat if the stability control system detects an imminent rollover.
VW's 2.0-litre turbo-diesel delivers easy, frugal muscle, with minimal off-idle turbo lag and a wide, responsive midrange. It's quite refined but, as with any four-cylinder turbo oiler, some vibration is apparent under acceleration. It's very quiet by diesel standards.
Quick, punchy and tractable - the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is genuinely sporty.
The six-speed manual gearbox has closely spaced ratios and a long throw. It's a touch loose in action but acceptably precise.
The automated manual gearbox produces quicker acceleration than the regular manual. It also has the snappiest, smoothest shifts in the business, either left in Drive or when you use the lever. It can override your wishes frequently in manual mode and it would be good to have shifting paddles on the wheel, like the Golf GTI, as well as the lever.
It isn't a Mazda MX5 or a Porsche Boxster but the Eos handles, steers and stops better than its four-seater rivals at this price.
There's some give in the body but only the occasional big hit causes the front end to shudder. Any convertible is going to loosen up with time and distance but the Eos should hang together better than most.
The suspension is tuned for comfort rather than speed, though it is well damped and control over body movement is generally adequate. At speed the Eos can be momentarily unsettled by undulations.
Add the optional short-travel springs and 18-inch alloys to the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol model and you have the sportiest, most enjoyable drive in the class, by a mile.
Some road testers have suggested that handling improves with the roof down, as the centre of gravity is lowered. Maybe.
You have to stick the Eos deep and quite hard into a tight bend to induce serious understeer. The steering wheel itself is consistently weighted and free of torque steer.
The ride is firm but very comfortable, even on poor surfaces. Brakes are powerful and progressive, with excellent fade resistance.
Roof up, our test car (a diesel on standard suspension, wheels and tyres) felt just like a solid roof hatch. However, other examples we've driven have had a few rattles and more wind, road and tyre noise than expected, so it may come down to suspension tuning and wheel-tyre choice.
Roof down, with the side windows raised and the optional rear seat wind blocker in place, the cabin is calm and quiet. However, the wind blocker can't be used when the back seats are occupied. So, as with any convertible, there is plenty of turbulence front and rear.
A pop-up wind blocker on the top of the windscreen header rail deflects the airflow above the heads of tall front seat occupants, but also creates more wind noise.
Up front you get a sporty, reasonably supportive seat with lots of leg room and sufficient driving position adjustability to cater to any physique. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach.
White-on-grey instruments are legible and attractive. Trip computer and audio buttons are duplicated on the wheel, so you can do lots of things without your eyes leaving the road.
You don't have to be Houdini to get into or out of the back seat; the driver's seat also returns to its position afterwards.
Four average-sized adults can travel comfortably in the Eos. Tall front seat occupants will tighten up rear leg room. Headroom is adequate to 180cm, while the seat itself is firm but more comfortable than the back seat in Eos's rivals.
Roof up, you have plenty of boot space. Roof down, you don't, because the stacked panels of the roof occupy most of the space. There's no spare wheel, just a repair kit and compressor.
No matter which way you look at it, but particularly at its superior drivetrains, Volkswagen's new Eos gets the money against its rivals at about $50,000. It's also good enough to warrant consideration if you're looking at more expensive four-seat convertibles such as the Saab 9-3, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz CLK.