2013 VOLKSWAGEN EOS: A CONVERTIBLE FOR ALL SEASONS

The only hardtop convertible with a built-in power sunroof available in North America

• Hardtop raises or lowers in just 25 seconds

• Well-equipped Komfort model with MSRP of $34,350

• Advanced 200 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with fast-shifting six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic as standard

• New for MY 2013—Sport model with lowered sport suspension and new 18-inch Vicenza alloy wheels

• Full, four-seat accommodation with spacious 10.5 cu ft trunk

Herndon, VA, - While there may be other retractable hardtop convertible models on the market, the Eos stands apart for being the only one to offer a full-width, power-tilt-and-slide, panoramic glass sunroof integrated in to its hardtop. The Eos provides an affordable alternative to four-place convertibles from European luxury automakers.

Following a major refresh for the vehicle for the 2012 model year, the Eos receives some notable updates in time for MY13.

New for 2013

In addition to the launch line-up of Komfort, Lux and Executive models, a new, more sports-focused Sport trim has been added for 2013.

It takes the long list of standard equipment offered on the Eos Komfort—dual-zone climate control, front fog lamps with cornering lamps, Premium VIII Touchscreen radio with eight speakers—and adds 18-inch 'Vicenza' alloy wheels, a lowered sport suspension, a rear spoiler, black exterior mirrors, brushed stainless steel pedals, a multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters and Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS).

Exterior

Top up or down, the 2013 Eos has a sleek, elegant profile, highlighted by a swept-back windshield, slim roof pillars to ensure great all-round visibility, and a bold-muscular body line that starts by the front wheelarch and sweeps back all the way to the rear light.

Extending between the swept-back headlamps is a prominent, slim grille featuring three gloss-black blades, each trimmed with a narrow chrome strip. The front bumper design incorporates a deep, restyled air dam with horizontal blades matching those of the grille. Mounted at the edges, halogen reflector-lens fog lamps have a corner-illuminating feature.

Sport, Lux, and Executive trims receive Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with bright-white LED Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). This system can turn the headlamps up to 15 degrees for increased night-time visibility around curves.

In back, the Eos has two-part LED taillights with fiber-optic technology and a bumper with lower black diffuser and chrome dual-tipped exhausts.

Folding Hardtop

To see the Eos's electro-hydraulically-operated five-piece steel and glass roof in action is like watching a mechanical ballet. In the 25 seconds it takes for the top to lower, the five elements form a compact 'sandwich', stacking neatly and elegantly on top of each other so as to take up minimal space inside the trunk. The mechanism itself is activated from the front seat by a press-and-hold lever beneath the center armrest. Thanks to the way the mechanism operates, the roof can be opened or closed in most garages.

This is how the roof lowering process works: Once the switch is pressed, the sunroof section slides backwards and the side windows are lowered. Almost simultaneously, the entire rear section of the roof, from the C-pillar up to the 'imaginary' B-pillar is lifted upwards. The sunroof then slides under the rear area of the roof forming a 'sandwich.'

Now the hydraulic control system folds the entire roof cover deck lid, along with the lid of the trunk, backwards. Then the lateral roof spars of the windshield frame slide back as well. The sunroof and the rear part of the roof are completely lowered into the rear of the car, while the roof spars slide into separate cavities (covered by lids) near the rear side window.

In total, the Eos's roof is made up of 470 components, including an eight-cylinder electro-hydraulic pump located under the luggage compartment cover behind the spare wheel.

A unique feature of the folding roof is its sliding glass sunroof that's integrated into the car's metal roof. At 44 inches wide and 22 inches deep, it is far larger than a traditional sunroof. At the touch of a button it can be tilted and partly or fully opened. There's also an integrated, manual sliding sunshade to reduce sunlight glare. A key design element of the roof is that the section behind the sunroof is made of matching tinted glass, giving the visual impression that the Eos's entire roof is made from glass. To reduce wind-buffeting when the top is lowered, the Eos comes with a removable, foldable wind-blocker that can be mounted behind the rear seats, plus a neat pop-up mesh wind deflector that deploys from the top of the windscreen.

Interior

As well as its all-weather capability, the Eos is also able to carry four adults in comfort and still have space for their luggage.

On Lux and Executive trim levels, genuine Engineered Ebony, or the more technical Black Peak, add luxury and style to the fascia and door panels. It's accompanied by rich, supple leather seating surfaces in a choice of Cornsilk Beige, Titan Black, Red or Atlantic Blue. And all Eos models are equipped with a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and shift knob.

Standard on all models is a dual-zone Climatronic® climate control system. The system allows driver and front-seat passenger to adjust their air temperatures individually and independently. The Climatronic system even takes into account the amount of sunlight coming into the cabin, and makes separate calculations to compensate on both the driver and passenger sides.

For entertainment, all Eos models come standard with an eight-speaker touchscreen sound system complete with crystal-clear HD Radio technology, an in-dash six-CD changer, and a Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPod® cable to seamlessly navigate playlists, albums and more, plus Bluetooth® connectivity.

Standard equipment on the top-of-the-line 2013 Eos Executive is the RNS 510 navigation system, a rearview camera, and a10-speaker premium sound system from the Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio. This 10-channel system delivers up to a true 600 watts RMS without generating unwanted vibrations in the vehicle structure, setting a new standard in this class.

From the sporty, side-bolstered front seats with standard 12-way power adjustment for the driver (eight-way manual adjustment for the front passenger), to the supportive individual rear seats, the Eos is exceptionally comfortable and accommodating. To make it easy for passengers to climb in the back, the front seats in the Eos are available with an electric easy-entry feature. Pressing the rocker switch allows the seats to power forward so passengers can step in, and then return to their original position.

With the Eos's top raised, the trunk offers a generous 10.5 cubic feet of storage space. With the roof fully-retracted, there is still a usable 6.6 cubic feet. For longer items, a lockable pass-through is integrated into the Eos's rear seats.

Engines and Transmissions

The 2013 Eos features Volkswagen's award-winning 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder gasoline engine. This advanced, technically-sophisticated, direct fuel-injection powerplant produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque and features drive-by-wire throttle control and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters. One of the key reasons for the engine's lively, responsive performance is that it produces all 207 lb-ft of torque from just 1700 rpm, allowing for rapid passing and fast exits from tight curves.

For 2013, the front-wheel drive Eos features the remarkable DSG® six-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard. This fast-shifting automatic enables the Eos to deliver an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in city driving. DSG combines the comfort and ease-of-use of an automatic with the responsiveness and economy of a manual. The six-speed, transversely-mounted DSG unit features two wet clutches with hydraulic pressure regulation. One clutch controls the odd gears—first, third, fifth and reverse—while the other operates the even gears. Essentially it is two gearboxes in one.

With DSG, the set-up allows the next-higher gear to be engaged, but remain on standby until it is actually selected. In other words, if the Eos is being driven in third gear, fourth gear is selected but not yet activated. As soon as the ideal shift point is reached, the clutch on the third-gear side opens, the other clutch closes and fourth gear engages under accurate electronic supervision. Since the opening and closing actions of the two clutches overlap, a smooth gearshift results and the entire shift process is completed in less than four-hundredths of a second. In addition to its fully automatic shift mode, DSG has a Tiptronic® function to permit manual gear selection. For even livelier performance, the DSG also features a Sport mode, which makes the transmission even more responsive to the throttle and will hold on to gears longer.

Suspension

To give the 2013 Volkswagen Eos the ideal combination of sportiness and comfort, a fully independent suspension has been developed that's unique to the car.

At the front, strut-type suspension is utilized, with lower control arms, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar. At the rear, a compact four-link arrangement is mounted on a subframe that is acoustically decoupled from the main body to reduce road noise and vibration. On 2013 Eos Sport, Lux and Executive trims, the standard sport suspension has a ride height that's lowered by around half an inch, while the springs and dampers have firmer settings.

Electro-mechanical power steering is also employed to enhance the driving characteristics of the Eos. It features variable assistance for increased feel and weighting at speed, and less steering effort at parking speeds. Other advantages include its mild self-centering action, its ability to compensate for different driving hazards, like crosswinds and steep road cambers, as it dispenses with the usual engine-drive pump. The Eos has a tight turning radius of just 35.8 feet, which together with the optional Park Distance Control System, makes for easier parking maneuvers.

Four-wheel disc brakes come as standard on the 2013 Eos, with 12.3-inch diameter vented front discs and solid 10.3-inch rotors at the back. Naturally ABS anti-lock braking is standard, along with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and Engine Braking Assist (EBA). Another standard feature is a brake disc wipe feature to remove water from the rotors to help improve braking response, together with hill-hold control, and a brake pad wear indicator.

Safety and security

All 2013 Eos models come with an armory of active and passive safety features.

One key feature is the Rollover Protection system for the rear seats. In the event of a front, side or rear collision, or if severe lateral tilt or a rollover situation is detected, two spring-loaded aluminum posts deploy from behind the rear-seat head restraints in just 0.25 seconds to help protect rear passengers.

For the front seats there's a driver and passenger front airbag supplemental restraint system, including driver and front passenger head/thorax side airbags. The front three-point safety belts also feature pretensioners.

The suite of standard active safety technology in the Eos includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). In addition, Eos has Volkswagen's advanced Intelligent Crash Response System that, in certain types of collision, shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard warning lights.

All Volkswagen models are covered by the no-charge Carefree Maintenance® Program. Under it, all of the scheduled maintenance, as described in the maintenance booklet, is covered for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Model Line-up

Komfort

With a starting MSRP of $34,350, the Komfort provides entry into the Eos line-up. The long list of standard features include the 2.0L, 200-hp TSI® engine; six-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic; 17-inch 'Michigan' aluminum-alloy wheels; hill-hold control; leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel; power sunroof with tilt, slide, and wind deflector; front and rear power windows; 'Matte Chromium' inserts for dashboard, console, and door trim panels; leather-wrapped brake lever and gearshift knob; wind blocker; foglights with cornering lights; heated front washer nozzles; cruise control; Climatronic dual-zone climate control; multi-function display; power driver's seat with lumbar; comfort heated front seats; V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; Premium VIII touchscreen radio with eight-speakers, aux-in, HD and satellite radio, iPod connectivity, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Sport

Opening at $36,500, the new Sport trim adds to the well-rounded list of Komfort features: a lowered sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch Vicenza aluminum-alloy wheels; Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) and headlight washer system; LED daytime running lights with low beam assist and 'Coming Home' function; 'Black Peak' decorative interior inserts; multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters; rear spoiler; brushed stainless steel pedals; black exterior mirrors; LED license-plate illumination.

Lux

Priced from $39,200, the Lux takes the Komfort features and adds: 18-inch 'Chicago' aluminum-alloy wheels; Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) and headlight washer system; LED daytime running lights with low beam assist and 'Coming Home' function; manually foldable, power exterior side mirrors; keyless entry system with push-button start; real wood decorative inserts for dashboard, center console, and door trim inserts; intermittent windshield washer control with rain sensor; power front seats with lumbar; leather seating surfaces; RNS 315 navigation system; and park distance control.

Executive

Priced from $40,945, the range-topping Executive is equipped with18-inch 'Kansas' aluminum-alloy wheels, rearview camera, RNS 510 navigation system, Dynaudio premium sound system with 10-channel amp, 600 watts, HD radio, and 10 speakers.

COMPETITIVE SET

BMW 135i

Chrysler 200

Mini Cooper Convertible

Volvo C70

by Volkswagen

Enjoying the open-air has never been easier than in the retractable design, which combines the wind-blown experience of the traditional ragtop with the all-season comfort and security of the fixed roof. Introduced as the replacement for the Golf Cabriolet, the Eos was the first production coupe for Volkswagen since the last Corrado in 95. Debuting in 2006, Eos, which is Greek for the goddess of the sunrise, was a four-seat retractable hardtop coupe convertible.

Incredibly unique and the only hardtop of this kind, the five-piece folding roof called the CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible) features an integrated and independently sliding glass sunroof which folds automatically in a quick 25 seconds. The roof is popular with kids, who enjoy watching the folding roof lift up, separate into five panels that settle inside each other, before retracting to drop itself into the trunk compartment. The sunroof is large and includes a heated glass rear window. The trunk space goes from 10.5 cubic feet down to 6.6 cubic feet once the roof is put away. The design and the construction of the roof came courtesy of OASys, which was a subsidiary of Webasto, Germany. The Eos competes with the MINI Cooper S and the BMW 1-Series Convertible.

The 2004 Geneva Motor Show was where the Concept C was officially unveiled to the public. The design team was led by Peter Schreyer, Head of Volkswagen Design in Wolfsburg. Slovenian Robert Lešnik also had a big role in the design of the Eos. In September of 2005 the production Eos that was produced at the AutoEuropa plant in Portugal was debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The following January the model was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Cabriolet that it was replacing was a convertible version of the Golf Hatchback while the Eos is its completely separate model with brand new body panels. However it does share a platform and some components from the Volkswagen Golf. The wheelbase is the same as the Golf Mk5 and Jetta models. The Eos is manufactured at Palmela, Portugal in Volkswagen's AutoEuropa factory. Production began late in 2005 and the initial deliveries were actually delayed because of a wind noise issue. During the first part of 2006 the Eos was introduced in Europe, and during the latter part of the same year it was introduced in North America. In October of 2006 the right-hand drive market hit Japan, closely followed by Australia and New Zealand in January of 2007. The Eos was debuted in South Africa in mid 2007.

Typically higher priced when compared to other mainstream convertibles, the Eos does come with plenty of standard equipment, a high-quality interior and the unique hardtop design. Initially the Eos was available with either the turbocharged four engine or a narrow-angle 3.2-liter V6 engine producing 250 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. The trims were base Eos, the 20T and 3.2L. The base model and the lavish 2.0T featured the turbocharged four joined to either a six-speed manual or the DSG. The 3.2L featured the V6 mated to the DSG along with a full host of accessories. Highlights of the Eos include a pretty spacious trunk, a power trunk that won't descend if anything is in its path, a sizeable backseat with room for children, or shorter adults. All models came with a pop-up roll bar plus head and thorax side air bags.

The next year the Eos trim levels were Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6, with the Turbo and Komfort taking over the previous years base and 2.0T trims. The Lux trim kept the turbocharged-4 engine and featured additional features. The VR6 trim was nearly identical to the previous 3.2L model but sported 18-inch wheels and sport seats. For 2007 and 2008 models a DVD-based navigation system was offered as an option.

For 2009 the Turbo and VR6 trims were discontinued. New this year was an updated touchscreen navigation system with multimedia inputs.

In 2009 a very unique edition called the White Night introduced. This edition featured custom black interior complementing the black and white color scheme package. The roof was Deep Black Pearlescent-colored while the body was Candy White-colored. The White Night came with custom wheels, 18-inch Budapest wheels & cherry-red LED taillights. This exclusive model also sported black mirror covers, black nappa leather seats, radiator grille and trim strips, door and side trim, trim strips and radio trim painted in special Candy White, a black steering wheel with light-colored seams and Sill panel strips with White Night letters. Heated front seats, Climatronic climate control system and sports chassis that was lowered 15 mm rounded out the rest of the extra special features. The White Night was priced around $43,000 U.S. and was available with all non-V6 models.

In 2012 the Eos received the front-end styling from the Jetta. The DSG transmission was made standard and a variety of new features like keyless ignition/entry were added. Climate controls and infotainment were updated for this year. All new for 2012 was the Executive trim level.

Just one engine is available for the current front-wheel-drive Eos, the energetic 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 200 hp wand 207 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to the six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which features clutch-less ease of an automatic with the all of the perks of a manual transmission. The base Komfort model featured 12-way power driver seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and Bluetooth. The Sport trim features 18-ich wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, paddle shifters and a sport-tuned suspension. Ultra luxurious, the Lux model comes with all of the above features and keyless ignition and entry, navigation system, 12-way power front passenger seat and leather upholstery. Sitting pretty at the top of the lineup, the Executive features an upgraded navigation system, unique 18-inch wheels, a 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system and a rearview camera.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Eos

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/eos/

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/eos/2013/#fullreview

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/eos/?ps=used

http://www.thecarconnection.com/cars/volkswagen_eos#mainReview

by Jessican Donaldson