Topic: CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen Eos

[Autos_Editor]

First Drive:

Hardtop convertibles are becoming more common, but VW's Jetta-based Eos convertible has some unique features, reports Tony Whitney.  The first is a comparatively spacious trunk, even with the hardtop folded into the trunk.  The other is a sliding/tilting glass sunroof. "Even with the top up, you can still get a bit of fresh air by opening the sunroof," he reports.      More...

[JSCC]

No white on red leather for Canada, damn! 

[robarakira]

I'm honestly shocked they brought this here so quickly.

I was expecting it to be on sale in Europe, south america, central america, asia, hell even Africa  for 4-5 years and then come to NA just in time for the other markets to get a new EOS.

Maybe VW will not shaft Canada as much?

[rrocket]

Has the term "sports car" been dummied down?  How can the author say "That's a pity, because the Eos infringes on serious sports car territory with the manual box. VW claims a zero-100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds for the 2.0-litre turbo."  with a straight face?  7.8 seconds to 60 is NOT serious sports car territory.  A Toyota Camry does it faster than that, yet we'd most definitely not refer to a Camry as sportc-car quick.  KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!!

[MKII]

From article- In Canada, the car will be priced at a very competitive $36,990 MSRP - a figure which must be causing a few worried frowns over in Gothenburg, headquarters of Volvo which is asking $55,000-plus for its C70 convertible hardtop. "

Is Tony Whitney comment supposed to be an insult, or is  he trying to be funny.

Yes both cars are convertible, with folding hard top, but not in the same segment.

[Shnak]

why not? I find the C70 and EOS to be similar in almost every way...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

In Europe and the US the C70 and Eos are definitely in the same segment and priced almost on top one another. In the US the 2.0T starts at $27,990 and a VR6 at $36,850 - less than the Volvo C70 at $38,7 with it's 215hp. Therefore, in the US the base Eos 2.0T and C70 are $10Gs apart. Meanwhile, the Canadian MSRP is definitely something to write home about being a full $19,100 different. Mind you, the Volvo has a larger back seat and is loaded while the Eos is not, but I could do without some bells and whistles - PLUS I think that integrated glass sunroof is a gotta have option (especially useful on cloudy days on the highway where it may be sunny one minute and raining the next, and who wants to pull over every 20 mins to open and close the top for that?).

The price shocked me - I was fully expecting it to be hard to tuck under $40Gs. So good, I was looking to see if I could stretch the budget to buy one myself (I could, but decided against it this year).

My beef is with the limited options availability here: No HIDs, no 250hp VR6 (a real advantage in this class), no red interior, limited exterior colours, no this, no that. Here is a vehicle VW could have made money on selling for a slightly higher MSRP than their norm, and they don't go for it. Strange. But maybe this is linked to the limited production this year; hoping more is available in later model years.

Still, I'd be buying a base light blue with 18"ers. It's superb value and all the car I could want.

[Arthur Dent]

Has the term "sports car" been dummied down?  How can the author say "That's a pity, because the Eos infringes on serious sports car territory with the manual box. VW claims a zero-100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds for the 2.0-litre turbo."  with a straight face?  7.8 seconds to 60 is NOT serious sports car territory.  A Toyota Camry does it faster than that, yet we'd most definitely not refer to a Camry as sportc-car quick.  KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!!

sports cars are more 0-60 numbers. Things like handling, toss ability are more important. This is a sedan with the roof cut off - a car that looks good and cruises nicely - more Sebring than Miata.

[MKII]

So this means that  Audi A4 Cabriolet, BMW 3-Series Cabriolet,  Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Convertible, Saab 9-3 Cabrio, are in the same segment as the EOS? As these  all have lead in MSPR north of $50,000CAD

The lead in MSRP of the EOS, puts in the same price point as PT Cruiser GT, Solara, and Sebring.

[safristi]

When will the LIGHT go ON amongst Reviewers...It may be "sporty_like_somewhat"..BUT NOT a SPORTS CAR.........folk who can drop $40 $50  and UP want a TRUE sports car (3rd car!!)...2 seater drop top with decent GO...what is the rear seat in these cars really for,I DUNNO, occasionally tooling down AVE Rd(theirs a GOOD ONE....CRESCENT STREET,Cul_de_SAC Boulevard !!! )....wif da kids inna back..profiling at
 YorkVille.........IF they just thought about it they will buy a 2 seater sports jobby.they do only sell a handful of these "hybrid.wannabees" for folks that can't seem to realise they are rich enuf for a real sports car and don't need to compromise...........

[Howswedeitis]

To my eye anyway the Eos isn't a very inspiring design. It looks like a Passat hybrid which isn't very
appealing. To be sure the Saab 9-3 convertible and Volvo C70 are much nicer designs.

[Shnak]

that I agree with... the EOS doesn't do anything for me. But then again, other than the new GTI, the rest of the new cars from VW leaves me cold appearance-wise...

[Bullet Blue]

So this means that  Audi A4 Cabriolet, BMW 3-Series Cabriolet,  Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Convertible, Saab 9-3 Cabrio, are in the same segment as the EOS? As these are all have leasd in MSPR north of $50,000CAD

The lead in MSRP of the EOS, puts in the same price point as PT Cruiser GT, Solara, and Sebring.

True, I would add that probably a direct competitor would be the Pontiac G6 convertible GT or even GTP. They are both hardtops in the same price point.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Before I can comment on the car I have to seat in it and get a feel for the car.
I have seen cars that I was excited about only to find I was not comfortable in.

[safristi]

Oh SH*T I just knew I was gonna hear from AIRY...the 4 seat FAIRY from Propellerrland....How did the Gradumifcation GO....GONE!!!...JUSTIFY yer 4 seater Cabrio BRO!!!!??.......

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I agree the C70 is a more cohesive, flowing, beautiful car, but the Eos is good looking too. In some ways it looks a tad short, the door handles too low, and the trunk cut-out awkward, but I'd take it.

As for competitors, I think you'll see the BMW et all moving to hardtop convertibles as well. I don't think the Saab 9-3 has all that much on the Eos. And in fact, I'd bet there's more front seat room in the Eos than the C70 or especially G6, and comparable trunk room to the soft tops.

I think this car needs to be seen and driven to be appreciated. It's no slouch, and I don't think any reviewer has painted it as such that I've seen.

[MKII]

I have been  researching more info on the EOS, as I understand from VW press releases, the EOS is postioned between A/B class (euro classification) type vehicles. So its a tweener.
http://www.volkswagen-ir.de/fileadmin/vw-ir2/dokumente/inv_presentations/2006/Q2/20060513_eos.pdf

[rrocket]

While a hardtop convertible is a pretty unique segment, I think the low pricing won't make these unique......with the price being relatively cheap, there are going to be tons of these things around.  Would this prevent anyone from buying one of these?  That is, the lack of exclusivity?

[Ex-airbalancer]

While a hardtop convertible is a pretty unique segment, I think the low pricing won't make these unique......with the price being relatively cheap, there are going to be tons of these things around.  Would this prevent anyone from buying one of these?  That is, the lack of exclusivity?

NO

[Bullet Blue]

While a hardtop convertible is a pretty unique segment, I think the low pricing won't make these unique......with the price being relatively cheap, there are going to be tons of these things around.  Would this prevent anyone from buying one of these?  That is, the lack of exclusivity?

The little stang from Mr. Ford would prevent me from buying one of these.