The Volkswagen Eos has strong performance from either of the two available engines, one being the 147 kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit first seen in the Golf GTi and the other a 103 kW turbodiesel of the same capacity. But the performance most prospective buyers will want to know about is that roof takes just 25 seconds to open or close.
Volkswagen claims that this is the most elaborate steel and glass roof ever fitted to a production car. It even includes a sunroof within the retractable hardtop. When the assembly is folded into the roof there is still 205 litres of space, compared with the total capacity of 380. An automatic roll bar system is installed and the bar takes just 0.25 seconds to shoot into place when the vehicle sensors detect an imminent risk of rollover.
Standard equipment is extensive despite an entry price of just $47,990. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a clever climate control system that changes its settings automatically when the roof is lowered, sports seats and a collection of airbags may be taken for granted. Spend extra and you can choose from a wide array of options including various styles of 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, the six-speed DSG automatic transmission and two types of leather trim.
