Up Close and Personal with the Sexy Eos
March 20, 2007 – 9:03 am by Matt Radel
Filed under Featured, Volkswagen Eos
Taking full advantage of my most recent service visit, I got close with ‘dub’s new cabrio, the Eos. And it IS worth writing about.
One of the few joys of getting work done on my Golf at the dealership is the opportunity to look at and pet the new ‘dubs (the other is getting my burnt out headlight replaced under warranty - make sure you cruise in to your dealer before you hit 50k folks). Today was no exception, as I finally got a chance to check out the Eos in the flesh…er…fiberglass.
Without much convincing, the service folks let me into the showroom before it opened. I spent a few minutes chatting with the sales manager, during which time I got to pet and snap some quick pics of the lovely new cabriolet.
It didn’t hurt that the showroom model was in black, which happens to be my favorite color on any ‘dub. Still, I was surprised at how much I liked it. It’s a shade smaller than I expected, but in no way lacking. It looks really natural with the top up, and downright sexy with it down. It has a pretty aggressive stance and begs to be driven, similar to it’s GTI sibling (by the way, they have two fahrenheit GTIs here - the orange looks a shade too flat for my taste. It’s a bit plastic looking).
Sitting in the car is even more enticing - the car hugs you after you shut the watertight door. It still feels smaller than the GTI though, but that’s really not a bad thing. VW has paid close attention to the interior of the car, crafting all the curves in just the right way. All controls seem to be in just the right spot, and the brushed metal is a great accent as usual.
The steering wheel is nice and beefy too. The whole car feels very solid, and there’s enough bells, whistles and lights to keep any nerd happy. Leather and woodgrain are EVERYWHERE.
I carried on my conversation with the sales manager the whole time I snapped these pics (part of the reason why there’s only a few) and he constantly made references to happy customers, driving home the point of increased reliability. He said they’d “really done it right, as they have with the Rabbit and GTI”. It’s nice to hear a VW salesperson speak of reliability without being prompted.
Toward the end of our conversation, he handed me the Eos “brochure”, which is a lovely little DVD.
I watched a bit of it, until I realized that OSX won’t let me take screen caps while a DVD is playing (bummer I know, if anyone has a workaround, lemme know). It is fun though - it follows the whole goofy style ad campaign of the GTI, using pretty 20-30 year old model types to sing the car’s praises, while goofing on the target market’s fashion trends at the same time (such as stylish facial scruff, and bedhead. You can kind of see what I mean by the image on the DVD itself). It’s pretty entertaining. I’d expect no less from VW’s killer marketing department.
Overall, I have to say that the Eos might be worth it’s fairly steep price tag. While I do like it better than I expected with it’s top up, I’d still want to live in a place where I could have my top down all year (i.e. NOT southwest Ohio). I do have concerns about the upkeep of the more sophisticated (but freakin’ cool) convertible top, which I did not get to see in action in person. It just feels like a car that’s fun to drive. Though ownership might be another matter. Personally if I where in the market for one, I’d still wait a year or two and make sure that VW has worked out the kinks.
Up Close and Personal with the Sexy Eos
March 20, 2007 – 9:03 am by Matt Radel
Nice write-up. I’ve only see a few around here but when you do they are nice!
Might have to stop by the ‘ol stealership and grab the DVD for the collection.
Whoa! The website says it starts at $28k? I thought Volkswagen meant “the people’s car” in German?!
Yeah, I think VW is in the midst of a bit of an identity crisis at the moment. Apparently the German labor union has a strangle hold on the management, and VW really can’t afford to turn out extremely cheap cars.
That compounded with the current CEO’s interests in moving the brand upscale has VW in a bit of a tailspin. Let’s hope they can pull themselves together.
I think $28k is a bargain for the styling and quality of this car. Show me anything in this class that’s a better buy, except for maybe a Focus.
The EOS is a very slick car, I test drove that along with a GTI the other day(looking for a new car) and I loved the GTI, but I thought the EOS held it’s own as well. It is interesting the marketing strategy they are taking with this car…..none. I have never seen it on any tv ads, and the ads for it on the internet really don’t help it break that Cabrio cute chick car image that could hurt sales.(Why market your awesome new vehicle to half the market?) Is it a “chick car” is it not, I don’t know and I really don’t care, but VW seems to think it is Proof of this can also be seen on the redesigned VW homepage, select the EOS and select the EOS boutique. Even though I am probably going to get the GTI( just too much fun to drive ) the EOS was a great car and can really help boost sales as the weather starts to improve, if they handle it correctly….off topic, this a great VW fan site.
-Mike
I enjoyed your review on the EOS and again I agree wth Mike sugesting that the EOS has a more Cabrio maket with women, EOS has lines that appeal to both and I wish that they would focus more also on more aggressive marketing on with us Roadster guys!! They would capture a greater market and with a higher pricetag would also capture those would would then purchase a BMW or otherwise.
Nice points guys. I just hope this guy does well - I’m starting to see an Eos here and there around the Cincy area.
I recently had the opportunity to test-drive an Eos - the 2 litre model. (I actually thought it was the V6 until after the drive, as it had so much “get-up-and-go”!)
It was a very nice car - the handling, power, and features were excellent, and that roof is just awesome. The fact it includes a litl’n’slide glass sunroof, and a very low headspace requirement when opening and shutting is a BIG advantage over its rivals.
I wasn’t too thrilled by the interior styling, as the red-lit instrument panels looked a bit naff, but my wife thought it was nice.
We bought a diesel Eos with black leather trim two months ago and my wife and I love it. Beautiful to drive, comfortable, great sound system and a working sun roof as well as a convertible. Wonderful with the roof down and with the roof up looks much better than the standard rag top convertibles
Iv’e owned vw’s all my life and my wife and I currently own a 2005 and 2006 Passat. And are thinking about an EOS, however the only thing I do not like about the car are the front headlights ..not aggresive enough.
Resently Purchased the Eos Diesel (who said Diesels are slow)
Love the car so does my Wife. Fuel eccon. is great with an average 6.0L/100kms
Only problem now, I’m left driving my wifes car (Toyota Pruis)