Test Drive Volkswagen EOS since 2006 Convertible

Positive mechanics

The first in the history of the VW car with a tough folding horse got to us for a test when Moscow covered bad weather with almost continuous rain. However, it would be interesting to communicate with EOS, even if the ride on it could not be at all.
 
Cabripes with a metal roof, retracting in the trunk, now in fashion. Since the release of the Mercedes SLK market, which was a pioneer in this area, has passed 11 years. During this time, almost every self-propeller self-proper producer, from modest Daihatsu to a solid Volvo, got such a model. Not left aside and Volkswagen. The Germans offered to buyers a complete quadruple cabriolet with a five-section roof CSC. As a bonus in the front of it, a rather large sliding hatch is placed, which before the EOS in this kind of machines did not have managed. Specialists of the well-known company Webasto, which was charged with the development of a folding roof, tried from the soul.
 
Perhaps such a wisdom mechanism I have not yet met. And do not care that the transformation of the coupe into a convertible takes a lot of 25 seconds a lot of modern standards. Moving swirls, levers, dancing trunk lid, which invas the petals of plastic sheat in the back of the cabin is a spectacle, leading to the thrill. Once again, watching these metamorphoses, I thought that the chief designer of this miracle could well give some international award in the appropriate area.
 
Hard folding top allows you to see VW EOS in several interpretations, and they are all good. In a closed version with raised windows, this coupe based on the Golf of the fifth generation with a dynamic silhouette and pure sidewalls with an elegant longitudinal fireproof at the top. Almost nothing gives his belonging to the class of open cars. Outside this is evidenced by only a pair of seams on the roof, and inside except the special keys on the central tunnel under the armrest.
 
With lowered side windows, the EOS is once popular in America Hardtop central rack is not. Well, the best of all, of course, it looks without a roof. As, however, any other car with a similar body. Wheel arches are becoming expressive, bending windshield racks, swolley of the hood on the sides. In addition, there is an elegant interior with armchairs and door panels. Many of his elements, like finishing materials, are borrowed from other Volkswagen models. Thus, the front seats exactly copy Passatovsky, controls and front panel Quotes from the same Passat, as well as Golf.
 
The interior is ergonomically verified and harmonious. The front armchairs with electrically regulators for the first time on VW models are equipped with an Easy Entry system that returns the seat to its original position after planting passengers to the second row. If you are traveling together, you can easily install a special windproof screen of the M-shaped form. Horizontal part of it closes half the cabin above the rear seats, and the vertical significantly reduces air turbines at high speeds. But even without this device in an open car, the drafts are not walking with raised glasses. At speeds up to 140150 km / h is quite comfortable. By installing the same screen, this threshold can be enhanced to an impressive 180190 km / h. Of course, there is a breeze, and the sounds of the streets penetrate inside, nevertheless, even at such speeds you can, without increasing the voices, talk to the fellow traveler.
 
Volkswagenovsky Climatronic One of the best climatic installations is scaled to change the work algorithm depending on whether it is raised or omitted (by the way, you can raise it without removing the screen). Thus, on EOS, you can comfortably move without the roof even with a rather low air temperature, it is checked for yourself. Somehow, Nature donated a couple of hours without rain, and I hurried to lower the top, although the thermometer showed 12s. I was driving with great pleasure at speeds up to 150 km / h, towards dawn. In any case, not so long, you will not have time to wet too much. With the raised roof of the EOS and at all quietly as an ordinary Golf, and inside will be cozy and dry.
 
Top raised time to evaluate running quality. On the EOS test, the 2-liter TFSI turbo engine was installed in a pair with a 6-speed MCPP. About this power plant has already been mentioned and written. Recall that this is the first motor in which turbocharging was applied with the direct fuel injection. Over the past three years, the innovative power unit has defeated three times in the competition engine of the year among the engines with a working volume of 1.8 to 2 liters. All than the turbine is issued, this is a characteristic pointing at turns above average. There is no lag and in risen. How, however, there is no pronounced pickup. The moment characteristic is very smooth. Power in 200 forces provides a decent acceleration dynamics of a very not easy coupe-convertible (cutting weight of 1535 kg) 7.8 seconds to hundreds. Excellent civil engine with moderate appetite.
 
Long transmissions do not quench the EOS acne. Although considering that the gear is six, one could still make them shorter. For example, I took advantage of the highest transmission only a few times, and then closer to 200 km / h. The gearbox works quite clearly, the engine, despite the compliance with the latest EURO exhaust standards, adequately reacts to the passage. The lever is comfortable lying in the palm of click and click. Only sometimes, at the highest revisions with a quick switching, the checkpoint is stuck, not allowing the necessary transmission to be included. But it sin almost anyone.
 
Handling can not be called a sports, but it may well delve pleasure. Rotary is close to neutral. With a disabled (partially) ESP, the car can be easily folded into the skid and then lead it for a long time or stabilize the gas with a reverse steering wheel. Everything is clear and predictable. Spoils the impression here only a wonderful folding roof. More precisely, it is not she herself, but the insufficient stiffness of the body, which most cabriolets suffer to one degree or another. This is noticeable even with raised top. In the turn, you can feel how the body is strained, and then as if a car is cordial. From here and more blurred reactions on the driving movements compared to Golf or Passat, delays with sharp rebuilding and squeak hatch in the joints with windshield.
 
Well, without the roof, a huge frame of the windshield walks the walker, the image in the rear view mirror is shaking even on small irregularities, the doors play in the openings. But having a soft body, EOS also gently overcomes the different kind of pavement flaws. The rest of the VW models is not dreamed. One way or another, we did not expect that the car, built on the basis of ordinary golf, and also with a retractable roof, will be a sports car. So manageability can be considered acceptable. In addition, it is possible for year-round operation, high-quality salon with four full-fledged places, a decent dynamics. But the main thing is, of course, the magnificent roof transformer Source is a good mood. Even if you just watch the work of its mechanism, the relaxation is provided to you.
 
 
Prices and equipment
In Russia, Volkswagen EOS is sold with four FSI engines with direct injection. These are atmospheric 4-cylinder aggregates of 1.6 and 2.0 liters, as well as 3.2-liter V6. Another 2-liter turbo engine, as on the test car. Power, respectively, 115, 150, 250 and 200 hp A pair of 4-cylinder engines are offered only a 6-speed MCPP. The top 3.2-liter motor is complemented by a preselective DSG box. The initial EOS equipment includes external mirrors with electrically regulating and heating, power windows, air conditioning CLIMATIC, steering column with adjustments by tilt and departure, central locking with Du and electric power steering. In the list of additional equipment, you will find options such as Climatronic, multimedia and navigation system, iPod preparation, leather interior, heating front seats, heated washer nozzles, parking sensors and much more. The price of a 1.6 L engine in the basic configuration is $ 34,876. The most expensive EOS with a 3.2-liter motor and a DSG box costs from $ 51 151.
 
 
Dmitry Krotov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

A source: Magazine Motor [September 2007]