The new Volkswagen Eos


- The first convertible-coupe with an integrated sliding/tilting glass roof
- The convertible-coupe Eos is positioned above the New Beetle convertible
- The CSC-roof makes the Eos a convertible-coupe for every day of the year

After the production of more than one million Volkswagen convertibles of the Kafer, Karmann Ghia, Golf and New Beetle series, the new Volkswagen Eos will take off to a flying start in May. As the first standard automobile world wide, the four-seater is equipped with a five section coupe, convertible and sun roof (CSC-roof). It opens and closes in just 25 seconds. The quick transformation from coupe to convertible is achieved by four hydraulic cylinders on either side of the vehicle.

The roof isn't just quick. But its hard top was designed with technical and visual finesse. Firstly: the front section is held in a glass look. As standard this section can also be opened and tilted upwards like a conventional - but very large - glass tilting roof. Even in the closed mode a light, friendly and fresh atmosphere is created inside. Secondly: thanks to the wide roof span the windscreen frame could be kept short. This provides more room and more sky for the driver and front passenger. Thirdly: another benefit is that the proportions are streamlined, the roof line is stretched, the rear section muscular and the overall impression is of a high quality. Fourthly: with the roof open it is also obvious that the Eos was especially designed as a convertible-coupe, as opposed to following the example of many limousines with added on convertible features.

Nevertheless the new Volkswagen Eos consciously shows a technical proximity to the Passat as far as the running gear and the propulsion system are concerned. The Eos is positioned in the segment above the New Beetle convertible, which has been on offer worldwide since 2003 and is the successor to the Golf Cabriolet. Regarding the price as well as the design, the Eos ranges in the segment between the Golf and the Passat. The price of the standard version (85 kW / 115 hp) recommends itself as an interesting introduction into the world of the all-year-round convertible and includes details such as ESP, semi automatic air conditioning (Climatic), power windows, alloy rims, LED rear lights, maximum safety front head rests, airbags, specially developed head and thorax airbags, a roll bar system which comes out in 0.25 seconds and two full rear seats.



All year round suitability / An uncompromising convertible and an equally uncompromising coupe

The different development areas of Volkswagen were given the task of putting a convertible on wheels that's suitable year-round. With the roof closed it was to offer all the characteristics of a coupe. The roof construction, developed together with the Webasto company, proved to be a very solid and variable. One thing is for sure: the Eos is the only convertible with a five section folding roof made from steel worldwide. This roof provides the conceptional base for an uncompromising all-year-round ability, the homogenous convertible-design and the pure convertible feeling, as laid down in the specifications.



Agile and comfortable / Passat rear axle and Golf front axle make the Eos a cruiser and a sports car rolled into one

A further point can be added to this, which is of fundamental importance for the success in the market place: the road handling. Individual components of the Eos' running gear can be found in the comfortable Passat as well as in the sprightly Golf GTI, but of course they were adjusted to fit the specific demands of the Eos. Looking at the rear, the multi-link-axle derived from the Passat is pointing the way. The Eos' front axle is used in much the same way in the Golf. In addition, the four agile gas engines and one diesel engine make the Eos, in combination with the newly designed running gear, not just a comfortable cruiser, but - in the more powerful versions - a superior sports car as well.

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