2007 Volkswagen Eos Preview

Sorority sisters, rejoice, for there is a cute new Volkswagen convertible on the way! But this one is much more sophisticated than your beloved and rapidly aging Cabrio. The 2007 Volkswagen Eos gets a slick retractable hardtop, allowing it to serve as a weather-tight coupe in the winter and a sun-drenched convertible in the summer. Need something in between? The Eos also has a sunroof, so you can catch a few rays without disturbing your coif. Add the smooth, powerful engines from the VW Passat and available luxury options such as leather and a kicking Dynaudio stereo system, and the new Eos has everything to make Barbie – and Barbie wannabes – happy.

What it is

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos convertible, named after the Greek goddess of sunrise, is based on the all-new Passat sedan’s platform, and replaces the old four-seat Cabrio in VW’s lineup. Fully equipped in a single trim level, the 2007 Volkswagen Eos includes stability control, a pop-up safety roll bar, and side-impact airbags as standard equipment. Sixteen-inch wheels and tires also come standard, with stylish 17-inch wheels, a navigation system, a premium Dynaudio stereo system with 10 speakers, and Climatronic automatic climate control listed on the options sheet.

Why it matters

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos can hold four people, whereas the New Beetle Convertible manages just two adults and a couple of very small children. That means the new Eos puts Volkswagen back on the map when it comes to four-seat drop tops. Beyond its wider appeal is its five-piece retractable hardtop with a tinted glass moonroof that can provide an open and airy interior even when the roof is raised. When dropped, which takes about 25 seconds, the sectioned top stacks in the trunk, leaving 7.2 cubic feet of cargo room for small duffle bags underneath. Normally, the trunk can hold 13.4 cubic feet of stuff. And since it’s a hardtop, the 2007 VW Eos is a true four-seasons daily driver – you won’t need to garage it in the winter.

What’s under the hood

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos is powered by a 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder driving the front wheels. After the initial launch, a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 matched with VW’s excellent Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) clutchless manual transmission will become available.

What’s inside

Inside the 2007 Eos, Volkswagen’s traditionally rich materials decorate the cabin. Black is the primary décor color, but contrasting leather seats and door panel inserts, combined with silver trim accents, brighten the interior. The glass roof also helps to lighten what could be a dour driving environment.

What it looks like

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos’ styling is a blend of crisp, clean lines and VW’s emerging trademark drooping headlights and circular taillamps. The 17-inch wheels look terrific, and the tinted glass roof is cool, but the roofline is boxy and not at all appealing. Like most convertibles, the Eos is more attractive when the top is down, but even then the car’s excessive front overhang, massive grille, and large headlights conspire to create an unbalanced appearance.

What we think

With space for four adults and true four-season capability, the 2007 Volkswagen Eos is likely to find its fair share of buyers. Especially on Sorority Row.

When you can buy it

The 2007 Volkswagen Eos is set to arrive just in time for the summer of 2006, with prices starting in the high $20,000 range, slotting in just above the New Beetle Cabriolet.

Key specifications

Engine Size and Type: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (2.0T); 3.2-liter V6 (3.2) Engine Horsepower: 200 (2.0T); 250 (3.2) Length: 173.6 inches Width: 70.5 inches Height: 56.8 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 13.4 cubic feet (7.2 with top dropped) Competitors: Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Ford Mustang Convertible, Jeep Wrangler, Mini Cooper Convertible, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Pontiac G6 Convertible, Toyota Camry Solara Convertible

Photos courtesy of Volkswagen