Autoblog

Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Chris Paukert — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Volkswagen, Specialty

Volkswagen Eos White Nights - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed, but when we heard that the automaker's latest model has been dubbed White Night, we couldn't get Harry Ellis, the cloying stereotypical Eighties businessman from the original Die Hard movie out of our heads ("Hans... Boobie... I'm your White Knight."). Given that the terrorists in this seminal Bruce Willis film are equally stereotypically cold Germans, we're not sure that authorities at the Deutsche automaker will appreciate what came to mind for us, but we digress.

In any case, the Eos White Night is big on contrast, with a Candy White body offset by a Deep Black Pearlescent roof, side mirrors, and radiator grille. The look is an interesting one, as it uproots one of the inherent strengths that the folding hardtop convertible medium achieves best - the ability to have a matching body shell and roof, something that isn't as easily achieved with a conventional folding cloth top.

In addition to the contrasting black-and-white motif, the White Night also receives cherry-red LED taillights, 18-inch "Budapest" alloys, as well as nappa black leather with contrasting light seams, White Night sill panels, and Candy White trim strips. Every White Night comes equipped with automatic climate control, sports suspension (lowered 15 mm) and heated front seats.

The special edition Eos is available for order with any engine save the gasoline V6 - but at this time, it is a Europe only model that starts at a tidy €33,140 (over $46k USD!). 1980's White Nights Mercury Sable owners, eat your heart out.

High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Eos White Nights

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Golf Cabrio returning in 2010, but Karmann won't build it

Noah Joseph — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

VW Karmann Polo Cabrio: click to view in hi-res

Emerging reports suggest that the next-generation Volkswagen Golf (known in the United States as the Rabbit) will spawn a convertible version, however the German automaker won't be outsourcing its production to Karmann. The German coachbuilder has built every previous Golf Cabrio, but like many of its Italian counterparts, Karmann has been losing contracts left, right and center. The Chrysler Crossfire is out of production, Audi won't be turning to Karmann for the new A4 convertible, neither will Mercedes for the CLK cabrio. With the new Golf set to debut in Europe early next year, the cabrio is expected to follow a year later. Whether the convertible will make it Stateside remains to be seen, but CAR predicts that the Mk2 Eos will grow in size, be rebadged as the Passat Convertible and will retain its folding hard-top to allow the soft-top Golf to slot in below it.

[Source: CAR]

VW Golf Cabrio returning in 2010, but Karmann won't build it originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen, First Drive

click above image to view gallery of 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Even though Volkswagen has one of the fullest lineups in its history of selling cars in the U.S., these aren't the best of times in North America for the German automaker. Since 2005, VW has lost somewhere around $2 billion in the U.S. and the company has decided to lay off 30% of its workforce by moving its U.S. headquarters from Detroit to Virginia. Horrendous Euro to Dollar exchange rates are certainly part of the problem, but VW is having much more trouble offering Americans vehicles that fit our tastes.

The Volkswagen EOS hit the scene with surprisingly little fanfare, even though it combines the sporty 2.0T engine and athletic driving dynamics of a Rabbit with a killer hard-top convertible. The EOS appears to have everything it takes to be a summer classic, a claim we put to the test by inviting the car into our Autoblog Garage for a week.

Gallery: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting

Chris Tutor — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Volkswagen

USA Today's James Healey really liked the new VW Eos. "... boy, was the car nice when it wasn't broken." Uh oh. Broken? In technical terms, giving a non-working car to the nation's highest-circulation newspaper is offically called a "whoopsie." Healey loved how the Eos looked, drove and operated until he stopped for gas. After filling up, the gorgeous hardtop convertible showed signs of electrical problems by refusing to start. Not Good.

After waiting a few minutes for VW's mechanics to show up, Healey nervously played with the key fob, inadvertently opening the car's locks, thereby accidentally discovering the Goddess of the Dawn had awakened. After returning the car to its makers, Healey is told the car's battery cable had been disconnected for a recent car show and not properly replaced. Forgivable, we suppose. But then he's also told the mechanic found a missing seal in the car's air-intake system. A bit more difficult to explain.

Probably just an honest mistake that will never happen again and is not indicative of Eos's reliability. But then, not exactly the kind of thing you want printed in more than 2.2 million newspapers nationwide, or on Autoblog for that matter.

[Source: USA Today]

VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popular Science lauds the VW Eos

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's Eos has been awarded one of the "2006 Best of What's New" prizes from Popular Science Magazine. The new stylish convertible apparently captured the fancy of the PopSci editors. And what's not to like really? A cute coupe/convertible WITH a sunroof in its hardtop? Pretty slick. But this isn't exactly a beauty contest they were voting on. In order to be eligible, "a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its respective category," according to the winning announcement.

"Best of What's New" is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products," said Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. "These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future." And quite honestly, how many people were even thinking about a hardtop convertible NEEDING a sunroof, let alone advancing so quickly on making it happen? Kudos, Volkswagen. The full list of 100 automotive and other winners from the 10 categories will appear in the December edition of the mag. Full release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Popular Science lauds the VW Eos

Popular Science lauds the VW Eos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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