2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Testing and Finalists
The do-everything top, with a nice car attached
By Matt Stone
If the Swiss Army knife people made a convertible hardtop, this would be it. You can have it as a completely closed hardtop. Or let the sunshine through a glass roof panel. Or let in a little air via a sliding sunroof. Or let it all in by lowering the entire top, a la conventional convertible. Volkswagen calls this system the CSC (coupe/sunroof/convertible), and it's composed of multiple glass and body panels that perform an amazing ballet when opening or closing, all at the touch of one button. It comes attached to a car called the Eos, by the way.
The standard Eos is equipped with VW's rather fantastic 2.0-liter turbo I-4, spooling out 200 horsepower; choose between a six-speed manual or the equally fantastic six-speed DSG autoclutch tranny. A 250-horse 3.2-liter V-6 version goes on sale just as you read this, available only with DSG. The latter will be smooth and powerful, but the base powertrain leaves little to be desired.
Our staff was decidedly split on the validity of the top system and of the Eos's design. One editor said, "A convertible with a sunroof is simply useless," and another: "I love having all these tanning options." The look is Eurotech, if a bit stubby; it's not as pretty as the retracto-top Volvo C70, but somehow cuddly looking. But we all agree on the Eos's driving dynamics. The chassis is solid and shudder-free, and the controls are firm and direct in a properly Germanic fashion. The steering is tight and communicative, and the grip is reassuring, if not GTI-like. There was concern over the top's complex electrohydraulic operating system, which did jam up on us during the test. But we're assured this isn't common.
There's good value here, the VW undercutting the Volvo by several thousand dollars, depending on equipment levels. Remember the old Golf Cabriolet? It's been reborn in high-tech fashion.
| 2007 Volkswagen EOS |
| Base price range | $28,620-$37,480 |
| Price as tested | $36,110 (2.0T Sport) |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, FWD, 4-pass, 2-door hardtop convertible |
| Engine | 2.0L/200-hp/207-lb-ft t'charged DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Curb weight (f/r dist) | 3540 lb (57/43%) |
| Wheelbase | 101.5 in |
| Length x width x height | 173.6 x 70.5 x 56.8 in |
| 0-60 mph | 6.6 sec |
| Quarter mile | 15.2 sec @ 92.4 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 124 ft |
| 600-foot slalom | 65.2 mph, avg |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.80 g, avg |
| MT Figure Eight | 27.4 sec @ 0.79 g, avg |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 23/32 mpg |
| Sum Up | Perfect for the beach house. |
| Bet you didn't know | In ancient Greek mythology, Eos is the goddess of the dawn, sister of Selene (the moon) and Helios (the sun). |
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