Volkswagen Eos: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 16/9/2005

Eighteen months after the concept C study made its debut at the Geneva auto show, Volkswagen now presents the series version of its new convertible coupé in the form of the Eos.

This is the world’s first 4-seater car with a five-section CSC roof; the folding hard top combines the characteristics of a coupé, sliding and convertible roof, thereby unifying three different car concepts to form a whole.

CSC design: When closed, the CSC roof curves in an arc between the rear end and the windscreen, giving rise to an outstanding coupé roof which is both elegant and sporty. The roof’s curve is elongated, the rear end muscular and the overall impression is one of high quality.

When the roof is open, the 4.41 metre long and 1.79 metre wide Eos also clearly reveals that it has been specifically developed as a convertible coupé, and that its body concept has not been derived from any other model in existence.

The CSC roof has enabled the windscreen frame to be kept short and the rear compact, lending the vehicle sensuous proportions in the style of a classic convertible.

CSC characteristics: The five-section CSC structure offers not only optical, but also practical advantages. Firstly, a pure convertible feeling. As the windscreen frame (the roof cross member, to be perfectly accurate) projects far less into the interior than is the case with many similar solutions, there is nothing above the driver and front passenger but blue skies.

Secondly, optimum entry and exiting. The shorter windscreen frame makes it easier to get into the Eos when the top is down, as the driver or passenger does not have to manoeuvre his head past the frame.

Thirdly, the integrated glass/sliding/tilting roof, because the sun does not always shine, nor is it always summer. In such cases, the glass/sliding/tilting roof fitted in the Eos lets in light, air and good humour.

Full opening and closing are very speedy, by the way, taking around 25 seconds from the first "clack" to the last "click". The system concludes the process with a signal tone, confirming that the roof is either open or closed completely. In addition, the CSC roof offers the general advantages of unimpeded suitability throughout the year and minimal driving noise when closed.

It is also less appealing to vandals than a soft top, and some say that, given time, the cloth-roofed convertible will be a thing of the past. A roll-over protection system also features, which shoots out within a maximum of 0.25 seconds to increase safety in critical situations.

Engines: Volkswagen makes specific use of technical synergies between its model series. Take the engines, for example. In detail, these encompass four petrol engines with outputs ranging from 85kW (115hp), 110 kW (150hp) and 147kW (200hp) to 184kW (250hp) plus a 103kW (140hp) TDI equipped with a diesel particulate filter as standard. Four-cylinder direct injection engines are fitted to provide outputs up to 147kW, whilst the 184kW variant derives its power from 6-cylinders.

Passenger compartment: The interior design is also new. Whilst the functional and operating details (e.g. light, air conditioning, radio systems) are familiar from other models, many fundamental Eos elements are new developments. These include the cockpit, the door and side trim panels and the rear seat system. Volkswagen is additionally fitting electrically activated easy-entry seats for the first time: these "remember" the driver’s and front passenger’s longitudinal seating positions, and return to these - once the rear passengers have entered or exited the vehicle - at the push of a button.

When the roof is open, a volume of 205 litres of boot space is available; when closed, 380 litres of stowage space are on offer. As standard, a power latching system closes the boot lid the last few millimetres. A through-loading aperture is additionally integrated into the rear bench seat.

Equipment: The Eos will be launched in just one high quality equipment version. Permanent details fitted as standard will include ESP, safety-optimised front headrests, front airbags and specially developed side head-thorax airbags; 16-inch alloy wheels (the V6 gets 17-inchers), air conditioning system (Climatic / V6 Climatronic), fog lights, electric window lifters, ambient lighting, leather-covered steering wheel, gear lever knob and handbrake lever plus sports seats.

Optionally, innovative features such as a Dynaudio sound system with 10-channel amplifier, ten loudspeakers and 600 Watt output power or bi-xenon headlights with dynamic and static cornering lights will be available for the Eos.

Market launch: The Eos is scheduled to be launched in Europe in spring 2006 (Australian autumn); the other continents are set to follow the same year. The car will open up a new sub-segment and will be positioned precisely between the A (Golf) and B class (Passat).

In parallel, the New Beetle convertible, over 126,000 of which have been built and which underwent a facelift in 2005, will further extend its position as successor to the Golf convertible at the centre of the A class.