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2008 Volkswagen Eos Convertible
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What Changed for 2008:
At the 2004 Geneva Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept C, a retractable hardtop with a glass-panel roof that could slide back to double as a sunroof. Though VW made no official announcements at the time, insiders hinted that a car very much like the Concept C was due for production. Sure enough, when VW introduced the Eos in 2007, it looked very much like the concept car. A successor to the Golf-based VW Cabriolet, the Eos seats 4 and shares the front-wheel-drive (FWD) "A" platform of the Jetta, GTI and Rabbit. Unlike the Cabrio, the Eos gets radically different styling, a proper trunk, and a different engine selection. For 2008, the Eos gets a new model lineup.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Volkswagen Eos is available in four models (one more than last year): Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. Turbo models come with power windows, mirrors, locks, front seats and convertible top; keyless entry; CD player; cruise control; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; climate control; and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Komfort model adds dual-zone climate control; heated front seats; 6-disc CD changer with satellite radio; and a trip computer. Lux models get leather seats; automatic headlights; rain-sensing wipers; auto-dimming rearview mirror; wood interior trim; automatic transmission; and 17-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping VR6 gets a V-6 engine; brushed aluminum interior trim; HomeLink transmitter; sport seats; auto-dimming side-view mirrors; 18-inch alloy wheels; and a sport-tuned suspension. Options include heated front seats for the Turbo; navigation system and premium stereo for Lux and VR6 models; bi-Xenon headlights for the VR6; and an iPod adapter for all models.
Powertrain
Eos Turbo, Komfort and Lux models are powered by Volkswagen's 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which puts out 200 hp at 5100 rpm and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at 1800 rpm, and offers a choice of 6-speed manual transmission (Turbo and Komfort only) or self-shifting 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the 6-speed manual, 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway with DSG. The VR6 model comes with a 3.2-liter narrow-angle V-6 engine that makes 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. The 3.2-liter model comes exclusively with a 6-speed DSG transmission; EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway.
Safety
All 2008 Volkswagen Eos models include a long list of safety equipment, including front air bags; front-seat-mounted side air bags that double as side curtain air bags; electronic stability control; anti-lock brakes; and roll bars that pop up from behind the rear seats in the event of a rollover. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not crash-tested the Eos. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Eos a "Good" rating (its highest) for both front and side impacts.
Technology
The 2008 Volkswagen Eos' most innovative feature is its retractable hardtop roof. Unlike the all-steel roofs used on most retractable hardtops, the Eos' roof primarily consists of a large glass panel, with steel used only for the outer rails. The glass section can slide back like a regular sunroof. When the top is opened, the roof folds in such a way as to leave a large, easy-to-load trunk opening.
- New model lineup: Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6
At the 2004 Geneva Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the Concept C, a retractable hardtop with a glass-panel roof that could slide back to double as a sunroof. Though VW made no official announcements at the time, insiders hinted that a car very much like the Concept C was due for production. Sure enough, when VW introduced the Eos in 2007, it looked very much like the concept car. A successor to the Golf-based VW Cabriolet, the Eos seats 4 and shares the front-wheel-drive (FWD) "A" platform of the Jetta, GTI and Rabbit. Unlike the Cabrio, the Eos gets radically different styling, a proper trunk, and a different engine selection. For 2008, the Eos gets a new model lineup.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Volkswagen Eos is available in four models (one more than last year): Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. Turbo models come with power windows, mirrors, locks, front seats and convertible top; keyless entry; CD player; cruise control; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; climate control; and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Komfort model adds dual-zone climate control; heated front seats; 6-disc CD changer with satellite radio; and a trip computer. Lux models get leather seats; automatic headlights; rain-sensing wipers; auto-dimming rearview mirror; wood interior trim; automatic transmission; and 17-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping VR6 gets a V-6 engine; brushed aluminum interior trim; HomeLink transmitter; sport seats; auto-dimming side-view mirrors; 18-inch alloy wheels; and a sport-tuned suspension. Options include heated front seats for the Turbo; navigation system and premium stereo for Lux and VR6 models; bi-Xenon headlights for the VR6; and an iPod adapter for all models.
Powertrain
Eos Turbo, Komfort and Lux models are powered by Volkswagen's 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which puts out 200 hp at 5100 rpm and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at 1800 rpm, and offers a choice of 6-speed manual transmission (Turbo and Komfort only) or self-shifting 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the 6-speed manual, 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway with DSG. The VR6 model comes with a 3.2-liter narrow-angle V-6 engine that makes 250 hp at 6300 rpm and 236 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. The 3.2-liter model comes exclusively with a 6-speed DSG transmission; EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway.
Safety
All 2008 Volkswagen Eos models include a long list of safety equipment, including front air bags; front-seat-mounted side air bags that double as side curtain air bags; electronic stability control; anti-lock brakes; and roll bars that pop up from behind the rear seats in the event of a rollover. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not crash-tested the Eos. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Eos a "Good" rating (its highest) for both front and side impacts.
Technology
The 2008 Volkswagen Eos' most innovative feature is its retractable hardtop roof. Unlike the all-steel roofs used on most retractable hardtops, the Eos' roof primarily consists of a large glass panel, with steel used only for the outer rails. The glass section can slide back like a regular sunroof. When the top is opened, the roof folds in such a way as to leave a large, easy-to-load trunk opening.
