Volkswagen Eos 2006 Review - International

International Launch

What we liked
Impressively strong and refined drivetrains
Polished dynamics
Excellent roof operation

Not so much
Lack of true steering feel
In-cabin wind bluster with pillarless side windows and sunroof open
Upright rear-seat backrest

OVERVIEW
Soft-tops are becoming the exception among European convertibles where they once were the rule. Beloved by the likes of Mercedes, Peugeot and Renault – and soon to be embraced by more big nameplates – folding hardtops, or CCs (coupe convertibles) now rule the roost… Or roofs, if you like.

Advantages over traditional soft-tops include reduced wind noise, better insulation, easier operation, better parking security being the most obvious.

Most coupe-convertibles use three-section folding roofs and come with long, sloping A-pillars which reach back into the cockpit. Just launched in Europe and due here around March next year, Volkswagen's much-anticipated Eos does things differently.

Part Golf convertible, part Passat -- but in VW's own words precursor to its own sub-segment between the two -- the Eos is the world's first four-seater with a five-section CSC (convertible, sliding and coupe) roof.

The five-section folding roof means it doesn't get its competitors' long raked A-pillars. With all five sections folded, the Eos presents more conventional, soft-top-style upright A-pillars. The advantages of this arrangement include a more open sportscar feeling for the driver and passengers when the roof's down, more versatile options for part-open combinations (more about that in a minute) and easier entry and exit. If you've clouted your head on a conventional CC's long A-pillar you'll know exactly what we mean.

But even though the EOS's five-piece roof is a groundbreaker, there's a lot more to the Eos. For starters, it looks good, it's based on the already impressive current Golf, and for the most part it drives really well. So well, in fact, that it's bound to shake up the current crop of its likely CC opponents.

So, after a million topless original and New Beetles, Karmann Ghias and Golfs, VW is officially back in the convertible business. And, from what we learned and experienced at the world launch of the Eos, appropriately enough in Greece (Eos is the Greek winged goddess of the dawn), that's good news.

If that's the case, and because there's really just one equipment level with a choice of different engines (see below) which get specific suspension and wheel packages, the Eos will come well equipped for the money.

Because the Australian launch is so far off – and VW Australia is still working on the details (and pricing) – final equipment levels for Australia weren't confirmed in Greece. In Europe, the flagship FSI Turbo (obviously the most expensive model) boasts sports suspension, 17-inch alloys, leather trim and electric seats. The regular 110kW FSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel gets 16-inch alloys and standard suspension.

Expect leather upholstery and digital climate-control air-conditioning as standard here. Optional “special equipment” on the Euro-spec cars – and likely to be optional here – includes xenon headlights (with cornering function) and satellite navigation.

And, of course, there's that five-section folding roof, which can be part-opened as a sunroof or fully folded in just 25sec. It's a surprisingly sophisticated system which has to be seen to be believed. The system concludes the folding process – either fully up or down – with a reassuring signal tone.

In the Eos, you feel like you're sitting in a convertible because the roof doesn't extend right out over your head as it does in the three-piece roofed 307CC and Megane.

Importantly, the Eos looks terrific with its roof up or down … unlike the French cars. Again, unlike the French cars, it doesn't suffer from big-bum syndrome.

COMFORT
In a word, impressive. Very good front seats combine with a plentiful range of adjustment and an excellent driving position. They're lower than in the Golf/Jetta twins – repositioned for a sportier feel, which works well.

Strictly speaking, the Eos is a 2+2 rather than full four-seater, but there's plenty of front seat legroom, so making room for rear occasional rear seat passengers should be a drama.

The rear bench is fairly bolt-upright – partly so the roof folding mechanism can be accommodated more easily in the boot – and a ski port gives added versatility.

SAFETY
Class-leading… ESP is standard and the body structure is derived from the NCAP five-star-scoring Golf and Passat. The brakes are strong in operation and come standard with Dual Brake Assist. Fronts are ventilated discs -- 288mm in smaller-engined versions and 312mm with the more powerful engines. Rear discs are 255mm, or 286mm in more potent versions.

Airbag count is four, with driver and passenger airbags up front and specifically-developed head-thorax bags. Head restraints are what VW calls “maximum safety” items.

There's a roll-bar system that pops up from behind the rear seats in 0.25sec if the car senses that it's about to roll over (it's activated by the airbag control unit).

MECHANICAL
In Europe, the Eos mirrors the Golf and Jetta, with the same 110kW 2.0 FSI, and 103kW 2.0 TDI engines. There's a 147kW 2.0 FSI Turbo-engined version and a 184kW 3.2-litre V6 from Passat and Golf R32 to come. The V6 will be DSG only and, unlike in Passat and Golf R32, it will be front-drive only… VW's 4Motion system won't fit under the Eos.

First thing you'll notice when you see the car is its wide track and overall body width (1545mm front/1553mm rear), which contribute to both the car's more muscular look and impressive roadholding.

Standard transmission – at this stage, anyway – is six-speed manual.

COMPETITORS
Likely, but again depending on final pricing, the Eos will line up here against Peugeot's 307 CC, Renault's Megane C+C, Saab 9-3 convertible and Holden's coming new Astra Twin-Top.

ON THE ROAD
Like the Golf, Jetta and Passat it's based on, the Eos delivers a competent, polished drive. There's very little body shake, even over crumbling tarmac, and a generally supple, absorbent ride.

The Turbo's sports suspension is firm, but still comfortable, and the car has the body control to match its rapid performance. Its 175kg weight increase over the Golf GTI is disguised by the TFSI engine's superb torque. The car doesn't feel much slower, though it isn't as agile as the hatch.

Still, the Eos Turbo is a well-balanced, adjustable, fun car to have a fang in. Indeed, even the six-speed manual 103kW TDI diesel is fun (softer, but still disciplined and nicely balanced) although it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the Turbo.

All engine versions share slightly anaesthetised steering and lack of on-centre feel with Golf/Jetta/Passat, though the steering itself is accurate.

Turn-in isn't razor sharp, either, but measured and quite keen.

While we will have to wait for the local market units to arrive for a final verdict we can say the engines feel vastly superior to the more sluggish offerings from Renault and Peugeot. The body feels much stiffer, dynamics more sophisticated.  Top marks VW.