Eos

THE curiously named Eos coupe-convertible is Volkswagen’s long-overdue replacement for the last in a succession of Golf Cabriolets, which was discontinued here in March 2003.

As VW correctly points out, however, the Eos is more than a new-generation Golf convertible. First, it’s the German giant’s first folding metal-roofed convertible and, second, it’s based on a new platform that mates the MacPherson strut front-end from the current Golf V with the multi-link rear-end of the new Passat.

To be sold alongside the retro-inspired Beetle Cabrio, the Eos represents real value among its European coupe-convertible rivals, such as Holden’s Astra TwinTop, Peugeot’s 307 CC, the Renault Megane CC and Ford’s upcoming Focus CC.

Priced keenly from $47,990 for the TDI turbo-diesel and $49,990 for the TFSI turbo-petrol (VW’s famed six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox costs an extra $2300 for both variants), the Eos diesel is almost $20,000 lower than Australia’s only other turbo-diesel cabriolet – Saab’s new 9-3 1.9 TiD Linear Convertible, which offers a soft-top roof.

Borrowed from Golf, the Eos TDI’s 2.0-litre oil-burning engine delivers 7kW less power than the Saab with 103kW at 4000rpm, and the same torque - 320Nm from 1750rpm.

The Eos TDI also comes well equipped as standard, offering extras over the 9-3 like 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, a six-CD stacker, an auto-dimming interior mirror and tyre pressure monitor.

Other standard Eos features include twin front and twin front side/head airbags, stability/traction control, ABS, dual-zone climate-control, an eight-speaker sound system, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, a multi-function leather steering wheel, power windows/mirrors, LED tail-lights, black cloth trim and foglights.

The 147kW/280Nm Eos TFSI manual offers more power and torque than its three key rivals – all of which come with optional four-speed autos.