“Knowing he hates the wind in what’s left of his hair, we gave Klosey the Volkswagen Eos to Review…”

I’ve never been a big fan of convertibles. To me they have traditionally swapped structural integrity and dynamics for a ‘softer’ drive and sunburn. You know, the type of car shunned by enthusiasts but coveted by poseurs. With the popularity of coupe/cabriolets gaining momentum, and summer well and truly underway, it seemed appropriate to take a look at the Volkswagen Eos. Would my preconceived notions be confirmed?

Volkswagen Australia tossed me the keys to the Eos diesel and gave me a week to have a closer look at their summer cruiser.

What Is The Eos?

The Eos isn’t a re-bodied Golf. It does however share the Golf V’s wheelbase and front suspension assembly, but combines it with the Passat’s four-link rear suspension for an added dose of sophistication. The Eos’s two-door body is, on the other hand, all original (aside from the Passat chrome grille) and looks a treat. It is better balanced, particularly the rear sheet-metal, than many of its coupe/cabriolet competitors.

Starting at $47,990 for the 2.0 TDI turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, there is also the option of a 2.0 TFSI (it’s the same 147Kw engine that is found in the Golf GTi) with the six-speed manual costing $49,990. It’s not often that you can buy a diesel for less than a petrol. Both engine choices can be ordered with VW’s Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) for an extra $2300.

The EOS also sports an impressive list of standard features, including low tyre pressure indicator, climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, ‘coming/leaving home’ headlight function, fog lights, six-disc in-dash CD changer with eight speakers, multi-function leather-trim steering wheel, multi-function trip computer, power windows and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

While 17-inch alloy wheels are standard (as tested), there is the option of lowered sports suspension, with 18-inch alloys. Other options include walnut wood trim, a premium audio system, sat-nav and bi-xenon headlights.

The Drive

On test was the turbo diesel mated to the six-speed DSG, which proved to be a perfect match: strong low-down torque with a willingness to rev (accompanied by a not displeasing muffled growl) gives the Eos a very sprightly feel. It’s explained in the figures: 103kW @ 4000rpm and a massive 320Nm available from 1750-2500rpm. The result is a respectable 10 second dash to 100k/ph, and a meagre 6.9 l/100km consumption.

In fact, so grunty was this combination that less-judicious use of the throttle off the line is greeted by wheelspin, at least until the traction control steps in to spoil the fun.

The diesel grunt, combined with superb steering dynamics, and a sharp but not bruising European ride, combines to make the Eos a very swift point-to-point tourer. In fact, despite being saddled with a 200kg weight penalty over the Golf, it felt more lively and go-kart like than its hatch-back cousin. Serious drivers can really enjoy this car.

That Roof

The Eos’s folding roof is worthy of its own section in this review. It features a total of 470 parts (yes, someone has counted them), an electro-hydraulic pump and eight hydraulic cylinders that combine to open the five-piece Webasto roof in 25 seconds. It is super simple to use, nothing to undo, unclip and no need to exit the car – simply push the ‘open’ button and let the Eos do the rest.

Roof up, the Eos is surprisingly creak and rattle free and the only perceptible wind noise was provided by the door mirrors, an outstanding effort given the complexity of the roof.

Even with the roof up, open-top motoring die-hards will enjoy the innovative electric glass sun-roof on those cooler days. Roof down, you can enjoy all the benefits of convertible motoring, including sunburn, steaming hot leather trim and longing looks from young women – sadly more interested in your car than you.