2008 Volkswagen Eos

Review

The Eos isn't just a modern four-seat folding hardtop convertible. It's

a sensory

amplification device. Fields of green smell all that much

sweeter, cloud-free skies all that much bluer, as do the warmth of the

rays on your face and arms. To drive an Eos is to soak it all in and

savor every moment. Of course, this holds true with any convertible,

Volkswagen, folding hardtop or otherwise, but driving in one of these

with the top down seems to put you that much closer to nature.

Of

course, the Eos adds its own character. From the growl of the 200

horsepower turbocharged and direct injected two-liter inline-four this car came equipped with, or even more enticing, its optional 250-hp V6, and the extra-quick

upshifts of its six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, this is a

convertible that was made for more than the occasional lazy Sunday

afternoon drive. For a vehicle that isn't considered a sports car, it's

grippy and eager, but never uncomfortable.

Folding

hardtops have transformed the ownership experience of convertibles. No

longer do you need to worry about parking in a dark alley, only to

return to your vehicle with a slashed roof. Folding hardtop convertibles also offer an increased sense of security. With

metal, not fabric overhead, it

doesn't feel like you're trapped in a pup

tent when the skies open up and pour. Much the same can be said for when it gets chilly out. Even though modern cloth roofs are excellent at keeping

wind noise and the outer elements out, there's just something about

having metal over your head that increases the perception of durability.

Even

though it's been on the market for two years, the Eos still possesses

the most complex folding hardtop in the industry. Where others are

split in two or three pieces, the Eos' neatly divides into five pieces,

and like origami it precisely folds over itself creating a neat little

package. It's the Cirque du Soleil of roofs: parts of the liner detach,

hung from strings, while beams of metal and plates of glass stack atop

each other in the most space efficient manner possible. And right

before your eyes, the whole process near silently tucks itself away,

out of sight. Few convertibles are as entertaining to watch during

their metamorphosis as this.

Aside from

drawing in plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” this fancy roof

mechanism

benefits the vehicle's styling, allowing it to feature a relatively

short rear overhang, as well as cargo space. With 6.7 cu-ft of

available storage with the roof down, it bests Volvo's C70 by 0.7 cu-ft.

With the roof up, the Eos not

only looks like a coupe, it feels like one too. It isn't just a matter

of having metal pillars and a large glass sunroof overhead, but the

fact that it's genuinely hard to tell that it is a convertible. All of

the Eos' hinges and arms are always covered and out of sight,

regardless if the roof is up, or, during the transition of folding

away. On the move it feels tight, quiet and secure too, just like a

true coupe.

The Eos is based on a

platform that combines the attributes of the Golf / Jetta, and the

brand's midsize Passat. The Eos shares its fully independent suspension

setup and its hydro-electric power steering in common, not to mention that

it's styled in the likeness of both. The dash is similar to that of the

Jetta, but it features new vents, and is available with all the upscale

toys the Passat features

. Simple

violet blue and red interior illumination enhances the class factor, as

did this particular tester's two-tone beige and black color scheme.

To

access the rear seat, simply grab on to the handle by the front seat

headrests and pull. If it's on the passenger's side, the seat slides

and tilts forwards. On the driver's side, there are redundant controls

for the power seat which retain the memory of the seating position.

It's a clever feature, and one you'd expect more from a BMW than a VW.

In

terms of cabin space, the Eos isn't quite as generous with regards to

rear-seat legroom as its rivals, but it's large enough to accommodate a

pair of adults for short journeys. Anything longer and you're likely

to hear protests with regards to the near vertical angle of the rear

seatbacks and the narrowing cabin which is slightly short on elbow room.

Unlike most of its comparatively priced convertible rivals, the Eos

offers rollover

protection which deploys in one quarter of a second to

save the heads of front and rear-seat occupants. Though curtain airbags

are not available on the Eos, front seat occupants receive seat-mounted

airbags that protect head and torso. ABS and ESP are also standard.

Another

aspect of the Eos that I like is that it grants a taste of the high

life at a reasonable price. It may not be quite at the level of power,

materials or prowess of its rivals from BMW and Volvo, but it's about

90-percent there at 60-percent of the price. This makes the Eos a much

more appealing proposition to anyone who's new to the folding hardtop

convertible market. It also happens to make its direct folding hardtop

convertible rivals, the Pontiac G6 Convertible and the Chrysler Sebring

Convertible, look outdated, given the Eos' strong performance, superb fit and

finish, not to forget its amazing roof mechanism. And then factor in a very reasonable MSRP of $28,990, and the Eos really makes sense.