2007 Volkswagen EOS
By Daniel Souza
From wildly designed concepts that will never make to production to space-like technologies in fuel—or battery—consumption to cars that park themselves, 2007 brings a future brighter than ever when talking autos.
Now, most drivers may know this piece of priceless trivia I’m about to type, but for automakers 2007 comes earlier than January 1st. In fact there are new vehicles being brought to market with as much as nine months before the actual year tag arrives—think 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, which first became available to the public in March 2006. That’s also explanation as to why in the last few months you have been reading about the ’07 models.
I’m not sure I can pinpoint the gist of why this happens, but our egos certainly get a nice boost—a needed measurement when trying to keep up with the Jones’—when you state (and not tell) that you are driving a ’07 model during the final months of 2006.
The 2007 Volkswagen EOS is such an example. The German maker loaned me this top-dropper back in 2006—it sounds like so long ago, doesn’t it?—which it not only made me look good, but it allowed me bragging rights about ’07 models.
The Bavarian-born hard top convertible boasts in style with a top that drops in 25 seconds. The roof-lowering maneuver is even fascinating to watch, as the front roof panels, including the glass sunroof, slide under the forward roof panels as the entire roof area rises from the C-pillar to what would be a B-pillar and is stored beneath a rear deck.
An available Trunk Lid Assistance program with integrated bumper sensors monitors up to 20 inches behind the vehicle and prevents the roof from operating if any object or obstruction is detected.
Also, just to be safe, the vehicle ignition must be “on” and vehicle speed must remain below 0.6 mph during roof operation. A status indicator provides warnings if the roof is not secured – either up or down.
Because seasons change, the 2007 Eos is designed and built with all-weather and four-seasons cruising in mind. Once the top in up, highway noise is present, but the interior cabin enjoys a much quieter ride than soft-top convertibles. The only problem with the automated roof operation is that it becomes addicting. It makes it look as if you are inside a Transformers machine with the VW logo on it.
But either way, another impressive headline on this type of vehicle is the fuel consumption. The 2007 Eos 2.0T offers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. High-pressure, FSI helps with performance and efficiency. The 2007 Eos 2.0T is EPA-rated at an estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city and an impressive 32 mpg in highway driving.
The vehicle can also be equipped with an optional 3.2 L narrow-angle V6 that can crank out 250 hp and 235 lbs.-ft. of torque. The narrow-angle six-cylinder engine accelerates the Eos from 0-60 miles per hour in 6.9 seconds.
A very cool ride, but it did bring a couple of disappointments. The EOS can quickly lose its ‘cool’ by a glance at the price tag: $35,755 is how much our test drive came for. The vehicle also sacrifices on trunk space for its ‘foldable’ hard top. But you gain on the look-at-me-cuz-I-can-show-off factor.
Base Price - $27,990
Price as tested - $35,755
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