Dawn of a new era

Already a group test winner, the four-seat Eos, although in effect the convertible Golf, is actually an amalgamation of aspects from both the Golf and the Passat which gives it a broader scope.

Because it has been created as a purpose-built coupe cabriolet rather than a saloon or hatchback with the roof chopped off, it also is more suited to the purpose with a greater assurance about itself.

Visually Eos (the name comes from the Greek goddess of the dawn) appears to be a stretched Golf but with a face taken from the Passat detailing includes the big circular headlights, extended bonnet, a sweeping V shape and the chrome grille.

With the roof fixed in place the Eos has a distinct rising waistline coupe appearance with clean effective lines.

Drop the roof and Eos is a lot sleeker but, it has to be said, not especially charming. It has a rather antiseptic appearance with heavy sides and a stubby front end with a long tail and extended boot lid.

This is important as it has to accommodate the retracting roof via the boot lid which cantilevers in the opposite direction to normal and because it protrudes beyond the bumper line has sensors fitted to ensure there is no obstruction likely to cause damage.

What makes the Volkswagen Eos different from the rest of the ever expanding line-up of folding hard-tops is that it incorporates a large tilting and sliding glass sunroof as part of the five section roof.

This is clearly demonstrated during the roof opening procedure as its slides back before the roof bars are retracted from their automatic locking position in the header rail.

In the closed position the sunroof can be opened, and tilted with all the electronic operations controlled from one centre control button the roof operating only when the car is stationery.

The problem area is that despite a small wind deflector at the front, there is an inordinate amount of wind noise from the roof with the section open.

With the roof retracted (a complex looking operation that takes 25 seconds), the boot lid opens to expose the glass sunroof section (which could be vulnerable to damage) as the top part of a roof sandwich.

A surprisingly extensive luggage space is accessed through a drop down opening which at 205 litres is better than many of this genre but is awkward to reach in its entirety as the roof effectively sits on the top half of the cargo area with load area underneath.

Volkswagen retailers will be marketing a range of luggage designed to fit this space efficiently which might be worth investing in.

With the roof locked into position the boot can now grow to take a handsome 380 litres of luggage.

Inside, the coupe appearance becomes more standard saloon/cabriolet with a high dashboard and upright driving position making it fell less sports car-like.

For those used to the Volkswagen family, Eos will make them feel right at home with its combination of controls and instrumentation taken directly from the Golf and Passat. This means that they are all highly functional but at the same time slightly bland. The option leather looks and feels good but there still isn't enough character to go with the image.

Given its Passat underpinnings you would expect plenty of passenger accommodation, but the compromise for the roof operation is that back seat occupants (designed for two) only get marginal amounts of leg and head room which shrinks dramatically with the roof closed.

In open mode the optional (£230) wind deflector (which then precludes carrying rear passengers) works very effectively to stop any buffeting around the neck.

Volkswagen doesn't stint on specification with both of the current trim levels (standard and Sport) well equipped. The Sport grade adds in: 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, upgraded audio, aluminium look pedals, aluminium dash inserts and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Eos is supplied with the choice of five typically efficient Volkswagen engines, four of them petrol and a lone diesel. Entry level is the 115bhp 1.6 litre FSI which doesn't feel underpowered and is good on fuel consumption, but it might not quite fit the image for most drivers.

The 150bhp normally aspirated 2 litre is expected to be the best seller (accounting for just over half of all sales) with its combination of enthusiastic acceleration and a not inordinate thirst for fuel.

Dropped in from the Golf GTi is the turbocharged 2 litre T-FSi which has a thumping 200bhp output helping to whisk it to 62mph in well under eight seconds.

Topping off the petrol line-up is the monster 3.2 litre 250bhp V6 lump, which in this case breezes the Eos along to a crisp 154mph.

The sole diesel is the well tried and tested 140bhp 2 litre TDI.

A six speed manual transmission is standard with the 200bhp petrol while the TDI and T-FSi will be offered later in the year with Volkswagen's proven DSG automatic gearbox which is already standard on the V6.

When it comes to handling the Eos feels calm and assured if perhaps lacking that edge of excitement that can be found on the likes of the Golf GTi.

Variable Electro-mechanical steering is nice and positive and gives it a standard Golf-like feel while the suspension is another two-part combination with the Golf's front strut and the Passat's four-link rear arrangement set into a wide (1551mm front and 1559mm) track.

In-built chassis strength means there is no indication of movement with the roof off and there is good stabilising and control with no flexing.

Braking is supplied by an anti-lock system supplemented by Electronic Stabilisation Programme with ASR traction control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock and Hydraulic Brake Assist.

Unlike many of its rivals the Eos comes across as not especially girly' and its not that macho that women will be put-off so you end up with almost the perfect unisex convertible.

Eos has some nice features and of course this is all backed-up by Volkswagen's enviable reputation for build quality and reliability.

The UK is expected to be the third largest market for Eos outside of Germany and the USA with 4,00 units in a full year.

Prices begin at £19,370 for the 1.6 litre rising to £28,095 for the 3.2 litre V6 which means that it is more than £2,000 above its Ford and Vauxhall rivals.

Factpack

Volkswagen Eos Coupe/Cabriolet

• PRICES: £19.370 (1.6) to £28,095 (3.2 V6)

• ENGINES: 1.6 FSI (115bhp)/2.0 FSI (150bhp)/2.0 T-FSi (200bhp)/3.2 V6 (250bhp)/2.0 TDI (140bhp)

• TOP SPEEDS: 119mph/130mph/144mph/154mph/128mph. 0-62MPH: 11.9 seconds/9.8 seconds/7.8seconds/7.3 seconds/10.3 seconds

• FUEL CONSUMPTION COMBINED 36.7mpg/34mpg/33.6mpg/N/A/47.1mpg

C02 EMISSIONS: 181 g/km/199 g/km/202 g/km/N/A/158 g/km

INSURANCE: Groups 8E to17E