It's time to banish those mid-winter blues and look ahead to warmer days: the Eos, Volkswagen's new convertible coupe, is available to order now ahead of launch during July, with prices starting at £19,385.
The four-seater Eos combines the benefits of a full convertible and - for when the sun doesn't shine - a hard-top coupe. Yet it is unique in its class, being the only convertible coupe 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 minimal space. With the roof closed, boot capacity is 380 litres; with the roof 'off', luggage space is 205 litres. The roof function is neat and efficient: opening or closing takes just 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 alloy wheels, parking sensors and lockable load through provision are also standard.
Moving up the range, Sport trim adds 17 alloys, sports suspension, upgraded audio player, aluminium-look pedals, decorative aluminium dash inserts and a tyre pressure monitoring system. And at the top of the line-up, 17 'Westwood' alloy wheels, Vienna leather trim, auto dimming rear view and driver's wing mirror, rain and dusk sensors and folding wing mirrors are standard with the 3.2-litre V6 FSI 250 PS engine.
On top of the high level of standard specification, the Eos will have a substantial options list, enabling customers to create an almost bespoke vehicle. Items will include an amplified, high-quality Dynaudio speaker system, iPod adaptor and USB port for connecting memory sticks carrying MP3 music files.
The Eos will be offered with a choice of five engines: four petrol and one diesel. These include the 1.6-litre FSI 115 PS; 2.0-litre FSI 150 PS; 2.0-litre T-FSI 200 PS; 3.2-litre V6 250 PS; and 2.0-litre 140 PS TDI. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while the 200 PS petrol and the TDI are offered with Volkswagen's innovative DSG automatic gearbox; this 'box is standard with the V6 engine.
Available to order now are the manual versions of the 2.0-litre FSI 150 PS, 2.0-TDI 140 PS, and Sport 2.0-litre T-FSI 200 PS, with other models arriving in autumn.
The Eos made its international debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, having been revealed as Concept C at the Geneva Automobile Salon just 18 months earlier. It is the latest in a long line of open-top vehicles from Volkswagen, the first being the Beetle in 1949. The New Beetle Cabriolet will continue to be sold alongside the Eos as a further open-top option from Volkswagen. |
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