Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles
VW Eos debuts at L.A. show
Stuart has just gotten out of the VW press conference and has more info on the German company’s wares for 2006. The first is the new VW Eos hardtop convertible. It’s called a CSC design for coupe-sunroof-convertible. Apparently it is the first hardtop convertible ever to incorporate a sunroof, as well. The hardtop is able to go up or down in a swift 25 seconds.
The U.S. market Eos will get VW’s 2.0L turbo four-cylinder rated at 200-hp or a 250-hp, 3.2L V6.
The interior includes another first – VW’s easy-entry seats that remembers front seat positions when seats are moved to allow rear seat passengers in and out. Safety features include safety-optimized front headrests and special front-side head-thorax airbags.
If you’re looking for more the Eos will also offer an optional Dynaudio 10-channel, 500-watt sound system and bixenon headlights with dynamic and static cornering lights.
More pics from the show and official shots of the Eos after the jump...
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ETMC 8:06PM (1/04/2006)
Damn, that's rather striking.
Both the headlamps and the taillamps somewhat resemble those of the next gen Sebring.
Should be interesting to see how this segment plays out...
Reply
Dot Flowers 8:07PM (1/04/2006)
This is a slick ride. I was looking at the BMW 6 series convertible, but I will have to wait until this VW comes out and compare. I wonder what the price would be.
Reply
Alan 11:51PM (1/04/2006)
Those are the VW LED tail lights that are on the Passat and the Euro-spec Jetta. I've heard that this car will price in the $30k range. In any case, it's too bad it still has the full chrome grille, although it looks better than it does on the Jetta. EOS looks like a good car. I just wonder if it is what this market is asking for. We should find out late this year.
Reply
JaSon n BoSton 11:52PM (1/04/2006)
From the design point of view, the rear end is hauntingly akin to the retired Chevy Cavalier convertible especially with the bumper to deck intersection, the placement of the logo, and the round shape to the edges of the rear light assembly...uncanny. But, not flattering. I can't think of a worse look to revive as GM itself is desperately distancing from the Cavalier. Poor VW, what were they thinking? The plus side is the feminity of the style, the "hourglass" shaped sides that look pretty and feminine. Will it be a step up for the young women who drive the New Beetle convertible, an upwardly mobile VW loyal buyer? The two girls shown opening the drivers door at the trade show may be the target audience. I prefer a more muscular and sleek look like the Pontiac G6 seen on their website:
http://www.pontiac.com/g6/index.jsp
or the Audi A4 Cabriolet's great smooth lines. Even though they're 4 seaters, I like sportiness over prettiness in an open aired auto.
Reply
Kumar 7:13AM (1/05/2006)
Looks like we have another GM ad person in the blog. I'm not sure if anyone would mistake this thing for a cavalier on the road. The top looks like most of the new hard top convertibles the Europe has or has on the way. Public perception of qualiity of both companies quality would put both the eos and g6 lasting as long though, regardless of how well they're built.
Reply
Brian 6:23PM (1/05/2006)
If they can actually price this car "in the $30k range" I'll be amazed! I'll be it's closer to $35K, $40K with necessary options. My bro-in-law just laid down a deposit for the new C70 - very nice looking car. It seems everyone is jumping on the retractable hard-top bandwagon these days.
Reply
David Bennett 6:54PM (1/11/2006)
I doubt anyone remembers what a Cavalier looked like. I sure didn't make the connection. The 2.0T should make it in the 30K range. That's a 10K fot the roof over a full boat Jetta. The 3.2 no doubt will end up over 40K but that will include 250 horses and VWs fabulous DSG transmission, well worth it.
Reply
charles shivnarain 5:45AM (1/14/2006)
someone made mention that the rear looks like a Cavalier, if Ray Charles were still alive, i am sure he would agree. here is a link that has some good pix.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2006-Volkswagen-VW-Eos.htm
i attended the Frankfurt IAA and was very impressed, entry level price may be around $30K but decked out closer to $40+, but that is with the Nav, 6 CD changer, premium leather, premium paint, V-6 (250 PS), etc. i was looking at the A4/S4 cabrio but this is a bit cheaper and hard top, with sunroof. should be interesting...
Reply
phil martin 8:36PM (1/18/2006)
The eos is beautiful. It is sexy and smart. The chevy cavalier might make an entry level rental car. GM is a nightmare going out of business. Also the eos is not an arrogant BMW ultimate car payment machine.
Reply
Erin 1:40AM (1/27/2006)
It is fantastic to see that they are finally putting into production what the VW Concept C brought to light a couple of years ago! Hardtop with a sunroof - who could ask for more?? Also, as a former VW Cabriolet owner, a hardtop convertible will be much nicer to have when it comes to those top-slashing vandals!
Reply
Kelly 5:05PM (2/14/2006)
I sat in the Eos at the L.A. Autoshow and thought it was a great looking car. They VW rep told me it would be priced around $25 - $30k. We shall see.
Reply
swisslady 12:05PM (2/21/2006)
Yummy! Finally a grown-up VW convertible! I have been waiting for this a long time, and it's even better than I hoped for. Beautiful European design, sexy, sporty, CSC(!), priced reasonably. I was looking at Audi before, but I am glad I waited for Eos.
Reply
frank 8:25AM (3/05/2006)
Just had vw man round to see if the eos will fit in car port,brought the Jetta as it has the same floor plan.Ordering one for 23k 2.0 litre sport,delivery about june
Reply
socalstar 8:13PM (3/23/2006)
YES!!!! As the lease on my 4th Jetta is ending in less than a year and I don't love the new ones, and feel too old (35) for the beetle convertible---this car IS an answer to this VW Loyal girl's dreams!
Reply
vw eos 3:31PM (4/03/2006)
Car & Driver just did a brief review of their ride in a 114-hp unboosted 2.0-liter European model and they liked it pretty well. The thing I was worried about most was handling and they said it feels like a Golf, which is good. I'm stoked to get in one of these puppies. Should seem them at dealers in May.
Reply
Justin Hays 1:21PM (4/10/2006)
I think it's great, I drive an R32 my g/f has the new passat 3.6 4motion and we both agree that the EOS is right for us, my only concern having been a VW tech for a while is water leaks, over time in a colder/wet environment the seals will probably be fun to keep up with. My only requested addition -4MOTION.
Reply
VeeDubbin 10:17PM (4/27/2006)
Slighty feminine for my taste, but clean overall. An excellent car for a Significant Other. ;-)
As for me, I'll stick with my two-door GTI sports hatchbacks (1986 and 1998).
Reply
Francis Muir 11:56AM (5/02/2006)
My dealer, Harper Volkswagon in Knoxville, had an opportunity to try one out at a VW dealer event in Atlanta. They showed a red one and a black interior, neither of which would I care for. Personally I really like the Euro model with a silver exterior and red interior but VWUSA, like all other American companies, always know best and you just know they'll seetle on a black UGH interior. I hear that they are not arriving in the showrooms before July - later than anticipated - but if I get early notice of a satisfactory color I'll have the first one in East Tennessee. 2.0T and DSG of course.
Reply
Jim Ferguson 11:38AM (6/14/2006)
With regards interior colours of seats it seems we in Europe have quite a good choice, a cloth called Titanium Black, Vienna Leather in black and beige and a deep red, another black and another beige in what they call Nappa leather seats. I guess like aircraft manufacturers they keep colours muted in the cockpit as it is easier to hide stains hence the brown and beige colours of civil aircraft cockpits...I personally like the brick red colour, wether it stands the test of time, who knows..
Reply
Andreas 10:58PM (7/21/2006)
"The interior includes another first – VW’s easy-entry seats that remembers front seat positions when seats are moved to allow rear seat passengers in and out. "
This is a first? Remember not to tell our 2004 SAAB Convertible. It has the exact same feature...
Having said that, the car looks incredible. Will seriously consider the 250hp version when the lease runs out on our SAAB.
Reply