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VWVortex.com Reviews and Road Tests The invitation was too good to pass up. Fly to France in early autumn, pick up a new Volkswagen Eos with the 3.2-liter VR6, spend a couple days driving through Germany’s Black Forest and the French countryside, and then arrive in Paris in time for the auto show. My hosts were so optimistic about the pleasantness of the season that they included sunscreen and a bottle of cooling mist in the glove box, should the need arise.
I was really looking forward to flogging the 250-hp 3.2-liter VR6 on the majestic Schwartzwaldhochstrasse, the Black Forest Highway. The highway is a simple two-lane affair, clinging to the rugged, mountainous topography of the German Alps and winding through numerous small villages nestled within the hillside. But an utter lack of visibility spoils that plan entirely. There are simply too many blind corners and sudden obstacles to make a hard charge. Instead, I settle into my heated seat and marvel at the competence of the automatic windshield wipers as they continuously alter their frequency while conditions outside flip-flop between heavy fog and light drizzle. A quick glance at the navigation screen gives me a virtual view of the serpentine path the road takes ahead, though my actual view is often no more than a hundred meters or so. Even though my speeds are relatively low, there is still a lot of directional change, and I’m amazed at how solid the Eos feels. And sounds. Or more accurately, how it doesn’t sound. There’s not so much as a creak from any of the numerous panel joints that comprise the hardtop assembly. And the top itself silences all the normal wind and road noises that typically invade the cockpit of a convertible. The second day of this journey proves to be far more enjoyable than the first. The heavy morning fog lifts shortly after leaving the hotel and I find myself in the winding hills of the most western part of Germany. The scenery is heavily forested, and the tight bends are banked. There are no guardrails however. The road surface is mostly dry, with only occasional damp patches. It’s finally the right time to open this baby up.
The 24-valve 3.2-liter in the Eos lives up to the reputation of past VR6 engines. In other words, it’s full of gusto and makes some of the best music this side of a true exotic car. With 235 lb-ft of torque available from 2500 to 3000 rpm, it is always eager to pull through tight corners and climb Alpine slopes. On open stretches of road, the VR6 loves to rev, easily surpassing its 6300-rpm power peak and unleashing all 250 of it available horses along the way. Thankfully VW kept the aural and visceral soul of this great motor intact for the Eos. Enhancing the experience is the Eos 3.2’s only transmission, the acclaimed six-speed DSG. The dual-clutch manu-matic takes full advantage of all the VR6’s charms. In Drive mode, the transmission makes the best of the broad torque band, upshifting quickly and seamlessly through the gears for optimum fuel economy and a refined feel. In Sport mode, it snaps off gear changes faster than humanly possible for excellent acceleration, and there is no better sound than that of the engine rising perfectly to match the next gear on downshift. Manual mode is great fun, but I found the Sport mode held onto low gears just as long as I would have, and downshifted almost intuitively as I prodded the throttle. DSG really delivers the best of both worlds, and VW is wise to have chosen it as the sole gearbox for the top-level Eos. The twisties don’t last forever, and eventually I’m back on flatter, straighter roads. But it’s all good. I now have a chance to really examine the interior fit and finish of the roof. It’s phenomenal. The headliner is fully finished in the same high-quality mesh material you’d find in nearly any German sedan. VW could have cut corners here and used a typical “mouse fur” material, but took the high road instead.
Beyond material selection, Volkswagen also raised the bar by including an integrated tilt-and-slide glass sunroof in the Eos. It sounds nearly impossible, but it is truly a beauty to behold. Currently exclusive to VW, the sunroof certainly advances the notion that the Eos is not merely a modern-day Rabbit convertible, but a truly world-class droptop for buyers who have moved past the cheerleading squad. The third day of the trip puts me on the French autoroute to Paris. Driving the autoroute isn’t much different than traveling on an American interstate, except for all the odd Peugeots, Citroens and Renaults in the right lane. The posted speed limit is 120 km/h, or about 80 mph. Most traffic is moving along slightly faster than that, but not by much. At these speeds I notice again how quiet the Eos’s cabin is. Wind noise with the top up is less intrusive than the last Passat that I drove. The sun is out and the temperature is rising to the level I was hoping for as Paris approaches. It feels good to have the sunroof open as I motor down the highway. I could probably drop the roof entirely at this point, but I’m in a good groove right now, and the large sunroof seems like the perfect compromise. When I finally arrive in Paris, the traffic leaves me no doubt. Even on the outskirts of the grand city, I’m thankful I don’t have to work a clutch. The rear window affords great views of what’s behind me, and even rear-quarter visibility isn’t bad for a convertible. Maneuvering through rush-hour congestion still requires attention though, as the high rear deck can make cars immediately beside and behind disappear.
The closer I get to the center of the city, the more I want to experience it in its full glory. It only takes 25 seconds to drop the top, so when it appears I won’t be moving for at least half a minute, I let it go. Onlookers gaze in amazement as the roof splits itself into several segments and disappears beneath the huge shell that is also the trunk lid. I get thumbs up when the brief show is over. I enjoy the last couple miles (or roughly half hour) of my time in the Eos taking in the unobstructed sites of Paris on the way to my hotel. The weather is ideal- clear, calm and 70 degrees. The Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, and Palais Royale are breathtaking. I’m reluctant to hand over the keys, but I must. In three days, I’ve experienced the Eos in conditions ranging from miserable to damn near perfect, and it hasn’t once let me down. Really, what more can you ask of a convertible?
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