| Better than a Rabbit and a bargain compared to Audi, | | | | Eos is your regular, cutesy ragtop because it is |
| the Volkswagen Eos has a sunroof or convertible | | | | definitely not. The VW Eos is a grown-up convertible |
| setup considered so revolutionary that it snagged a | | | | with substantial, but not bulky, styling thanks to design |
| "2006 Best of What's New" award from Popular | | | | highlights that include the wide chromed grille, |
| Science magazine in the automotive category. | | | | expressive headlights and black louvers. Generally |
| However, some automobile analysts say the operation | | | | speaking, the coupe-style body looks good. |
| of the retractable hardtop is not particularly special, | | | | And here’s another thing -- the cabin departs a little |
| though quite well done. When the lid is up, it is not | | | | from your traditional VW interior design, this time |
| folded nicely into the truck but snug and tight over your | | | | sporting a pleasing contemporary look, accented by |
| head. This process takes 25 seconds. While this is | | | | metallic-look trim. The front seats feel roomy, the |
| being done, the passengers may simply slide a panel | | | | controls including the ones for the convertible operation |
| over and get light, but just a bit more, in the cabin. The | | | | are simple and straightforward and the rearward |
| Eos has an integrated, power glass sunroof, making it | | | | visibility is thankfully good. |
| a true four-season ragtop. | | | | Upgrades include a sport leather package at $3,885, a |
| Nonetheless, the Eos starts at a very reasonable | | | | removable wind blocker at $375, a removable ski bag |
| $36,900. This price makes it one of the best, if not the | | | | at $250 and a park distance control at $350.Standard |
| best, value in hardtop convertibles. The Volvo C70 | | | | for the Eos are power windows, door locks, a good |
| hardtop convertible, for instance, lists for $56,495. It is | | | | stereo, cruise control. With the usual durable VW ball |
| of course way more expensive and definitely up there | | | | joints, the Eos has an interior with two small cup |
| by most standards, but yes, it is a reasonable | | | | holders that do not adjust. |
| comparison. The closest competitor to the Eos is | | | | It has turbocharged engine, which delivers 200 |
| probably Mitsubishi's Eclipse Spyder that costs | | | | horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, and six-speed |
| $31,998-$36,998. The Spyder only comes with a | | | | manual transition. Fuel economy with the manual is |
| power soft-top, although the Spyder GT-P ($36,998) | | | | pegged at 10.1 litres/100 km city/6.8 highway. |
| has a 260-horsepower V-6. | | | | The cars safety features include the usual four-wheel |
| The Eos 2.0T has its 200-horsepower | | | | disc brakes with anti lock and electronic brake assist, |
| inline-four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual. | | | | and an anti-skid program. Also, front and side airbags |
| If you want the six-speed Tiptronic automatic, one will | | | | with a head extension are standard. |
| needs to the $1,400 tab. The Volkswagen in Canada, | | | | The Eos running gear is patterned to the Rabbit/Jetta |
| however, does not offer the top-of-the-line Eos 3.2L | | | | platform, and the rear suspension is based on the |
| model with a 250-horsepower V-6 engine. | | | | Passat. |
| The name Eos comes from the Greek goddess of | | | | Thanks to all the smart engineering and design work |
| the dawn, who is also the mother of the winds Passat | | | | by the brilliant minds at Volkswagen the Eos is |
| and Jetta. | | | | seemingly moving closer to Audi territory. |
| Don’t go thinking though that the front-wheel-drive | | | | |