The front seating area of the Eos is spacious and comfortable. The rear seating area is habitable for adults of average height, but space is very restricted. Shoulder room is tight, both on the outer sides and in the centre. Two adults will definitely be rubbing shoulders in the centre, while on the outer sides, they will be hard up against the inner sides of the car. Headroom is also just barely adequate for adults of average height ( 5’9” - 1.752 metres). Provided the two front seats are fairly far forwards, there is sufficient kneeroom for average height, rear seat passengers, over short distances. There is a hatch in the centre of the rear seat backrest, which can be opened when the ski-hatch is in use, or it may be used as a divider with a plastic tray on its upper (inner) side. However, once opened it is loose and no longer attached to the seat.

The instruments and driving controls are well laid out for ease of use whilst driving. The hooded binnacle holds two large analogue instruments for engine speed and road speed, with two much smaller ones for engine temperature and fuel level. Between the two larger instruments there is a digital information panel that includes a clock, trip and total distance recorders, outside air temperature and other information. The centre console has the audio equipment near the top, with the heating/ventilating controls below. These are convenient and very easy to see and operate whilst driving. Operating controls for the four electric windows, plus the heated, electrically adjustable, exterior rear view mirrors, are located in the driver’s door armrest. Controls for the sun-roof and the raising/lowering of the roof are on the forward face of the armrest between the two front seats. There is a useful storage box below this armrest. The steering adjusts for both reach and height, while stalks for the lights/direction flashers and washers/wipers, are on the left and right hand sides of the steering column, respectively.

Amongst the folding hardtop brigade, the Volkswagen Eos is definitely the best by far, that I have tested to date. If you never lower the top, it still makes a stylish and practical 2+2 coupe, with a large luggage boot for your touring requirements. The roof incorporates a sliding glass sun-roof, allowing you to enjoy the sun and fresh air, without ever lowering the roof. There is no B-pillar, so with the side windows lowered you get a sporty and stylish open space from the A-pillars all the way back to the C-pillars. The two front seat occupants travel in luxurious comfort, while those two rear seats, can provide adult accommodation over short distances, or on an occasional basis.

The roof folds in an interesting way, with the sun-roof opening and sliding fully back, before the roof moves backwards into the boot. Finally the rear window moves up and forwards over the main roof/sun-roof structure. The whole operation takes twenty eight seconds in either direction, with the windows taking a further four seconds to close fully. With the roof erected the Eos has 0.380 cubic metres of luggage space, which compares well with the 0.350 cubic metres offered by the Volkswagen Golf. When the roof is lowered it has 0.205 cubic metres, which is on a par with rivals like the Opel Astra Twin-Top and the Peugeot 307 CC.
Power is provided by a delightful, four cylinder, direct injection, turbocharged and intercooled, petrol engine, driving the front wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. It is tuned to deliver a very performance oriented 74.092 kW/lt, with almost diesel like torque of 280 Nm between 1,800 rpm and 5,000 rpm. It delivers a scintillating performance, with a top speed of 232 kph (144 mph) and 0-100 kph acceleration in 7.8 seconds. Not only that, it manages to do all this with carbon dioxide exhaust emissions of just 202 gm/km. This is the same engine that is fitted to the Golf GTi. It is a truly outstanding example of modern automobile engineering.

The smooth precise gearchange, coupled with the refined and powerful engine, makes it an absolute pleasure to drive. Ride and roadholding are excellent, even over Dublin and Fingal area, third world road surfaces. It takes to fast twisting roads like a duck to water, with the leather covered steering wheel imparting a high quality, luxurious and satisfying feel to your hands, as you enjoy the entire journey to the maximum.
Irish weather in December can be unpredictable, so you may imagine that it is not the best month in the year, to put a convertible through its paces, driving top down. Unless it is actually raining, the Eos provides a highly satisfying performance. On most days with the ambient temperature around 10 degrees centigrade, I was able to drive topless with the side windows down. The heater provides enough heat to keep you comfortable and the crisp fresh air is exhilarating. If there is a strong breeze about, all you need to do is to raise the side windows and you sit in a veritable solarium, warmed by the sun and the output of the heater, yet protected from any chilly breezes. The test car came with one of those mesh backdraft protectors, but I never found a need for it. Even with the side windows down there is no annoying backdraft that cannot be dealt with by a decent, upturned collar on your driving coat. With the side windows up, there was absolutely no need for it at all. The only time I noticed an annoying draft, was when I had the windows on one side up and those on the opposite side down.
Naturally, you have to dress properly for the occasion. That means that you need some form of hat or cap for your head, and a wind and weatherproof coat for your upper body. One of those down-filled anoraks are ideal as they are lightweight, wind and weather proof and keep you comfortably warm. A Goretex jacket is another ideal garment for the same reasons and they have the advantage of being less bulky.
When it comes to convertibles, I prefer a folding fabric top and the Audi A4, with the same 2.0 litre TFSI engine, but linked to a six speed Multitronic sequential manual/automatic, that I tested in September 2006, stands out in my mind as being absolutely superlative. It would be my number one choice amongst four seaters. I thoroughly enjoyed the Opel Astra Twin-Top, but it in no way converted me to the idea of a folding hardtop. This new Volkswagen Eos, however, has made a very deep impression on me. So much so, that I could happily live with one as my daily transport. In my view, it is by far the best folding hardtop that I have tested to date. It may be the most expensive of this particular style, but, in my view, it is worth every penny of its higher price.