At the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, we were first made aware of VW's plans to make a four-seat folding hardtop coupe convertible. The Concept C, as it was called, has been transformed into a classy production model with most of its styling intact. VW says that the new car is not based on any existing platform, fitting between the Golf and Passat in size. Accordingly, the car has a new name: Eos, the name given to the Greek goddess of the dawn.

VW claims that the Eos is the first four-seater with an electrically operated, five-section CSC roof. CSC represents the Coupe-Sunroof-Convertible aspects of the Eos. The folding hardtop incorporates a sliding glass sunroof as well as the capability to fold itself completely out of sight behind the rear seats. That unique selling proposition, and the car's larger-than-Golf size are being pushed forward by VW in an attempt to distance the Eos from new mainstream rivals such as Vauxhall's Astra TwinTop and a forthcoming car from Ford. Given the classy, sporting looks of the Eos we can't help but wonder if VW is stepping on the toes of the recently facelifted Audi A4 Cabriolet too, though I noticed that the Eos has less luggage space than the much smaller Micra C+C when both cars have stowed their roofs.

The Eos is due to be launched in the UK just in time for summer 2006, with a range of four petrol engines and one diesel. Even the 1-6-litre entry-level model will receive ESP, pop-up rollover protection, plenty of airbags, 16-inch alloys, electric windows and air conditioning. A 2-litre petrol engine is also available, in naturally aspirated and turbocharged formats (as fitted to the Golf GTi), and the range is topped by the 3.2-litre V6 engined models providing 250 rampant horses to the front wheels for the traction control to contend with. Prices will be announced closer to the car's UK launch, but it is certain that the Eos will be more expensive than the Beetle Cabriolet, which continues in production as the official Golf-sized open-top car. Keep an eye on the Volkswagen Road Tests page later in 2006 for our review of the Eos.

Shane O' Donoghue - 23 Sep 2005