VW launches new Eos open-top

Coupé/cabriolet joins the open hard-top trend

By PH Staff / Monday, 17 July 2006 / Loading comments

VW Eos

Volkswagen launches the Eos, its new coupé/cabriolet today. Wolfsburg reckons that over 1,000 orders have already been taken for the car since prices were revealed in February.

According to VW, the Eos combines the benefits of a full convertible and a hard-top coupé, and is unique in its class, being the only convertible with a tilt and slide sunroof fitted as standard.

The folding hard-top is made-up of five parts, enabling the roof to fold neatly into the boot, occupying minimum space and taking 25 seconds.

Two trim levels are available: standard and Sport. All models feature ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), and twin front and combined curtain and side impact airbags for front and rear passengers. Semi-automatic air conditioning, fog lights, electric windows, electric heated and adjustable wing mirrors, radio/CD player, 16-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors and lockable load through provision are also standard.

Sport trim adds 17-inch alloys, sports suspension, upgraded audio player, aluminium-look pedals, decorative aluminium dash inserts and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Eos is offered with a choice of five engines: four petrol and one diesel. These include the 113bhp 1.6-litre FSI at the bottom of the range, two other dull engines, and the 247bhp 3.2-litre V6. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a 197bhp petrol and the diesel will be offered later in the year with Volkswagen’s DSG automatic gearbox; this ’box is standard with the V6.

The company provided neither performance figures nor kerbside weight.

Prices start at £19,370 on the road for the 1.6-litre, and rise to £28,095 for the 3.2-litre V6.

You can be sure that you'll see these things everywhere over the coming months.