Volkswagen EOS test drive since 2011.

Positive mechanics

The first VW in the history of VW with a hard folding top came to us for a test when Moscow covered the weather with almost continuous rain. However, it would be interesting to communicate with EOS, even if you could not travel on it open at all.
 
Convertibles with a metal roof cleaning in the trunk are now in fashion. 11 years have passed since entering the Mercedes Slk market, which was a pioneer in this area. During this time, almost every self -respecting automaker, from a modest Daihatsu to a solid Volvo, has acquired such a model. Volkswagen did not stand aside. The Germans offered customers a fully four -seater convertible with a five -section roof of CSC. A rather large sliding hatch is placed as a bonus in its front part, which it was not possible to make in this kind of machines before EOS. Specialists of the famous Webasto company, who were entrusted with the development of a folding roof, tried from the heart.
 
Perhaps I have not yet met such a sophisticated mechanism. And do not give a damn that the transformation of the coupe into a convertible takes as many as 25 seconds by modern standards. Moving hinges, levers, a dancing lid of the trunk, which echoes the petals of plastic sheathing in the rear of the cabin, leading into awe. Once again, observing these metamorphoses, I thought that the chief designer of this miracle could have been issued some international prize in a suitable area.
 
A hard folding top allows you to see VW EOS in several interpretations, and they are all good. In a closed version with raised glasses, this is a compartment of the fifth generation Golf with a dynamic silhouette and clean sides with an elegant longitudinal stamping in the upper part. Almost nothing gives his belonging to the class of open cars. Outside, only a pair of seams on the roof testify to this, and inside the special keys on the central tunnel under the armrest.
 
With lowered side glasses, the EOS is the once popular in America Hardtop the central rack. Well, it is best, of course, it looks without a roof. As, however, and any other car with a similar body. Wheel arches, bending of the windshields, bloating of the hood on the sides become more expressive. In addition, an elegant salon with chairs and doorbells sheathed with red skin opens. Many of its elements, like decoration materials, are borrowed from other Volkswagen models. So, the front seats accurately copy the passato, controls and the front panel of the quote from the same Passat, as well as Golf.
 
The interior is ergonomically verified and harmonious. The front chairs with electroregulations for the first time on VW models are equipped with the Easy Entry system, which returns the seat to its original position after planting passengers on the second row. If you are traveling together, then in the back you can easily install a special windplane screen of the Mr. Its horizontal part closes half the cabin above the posterior seats, and the vertical significantly reduces the turbulence of air at high speeds. But even without this device in an open car, with raised glasses, drafts do not walk. At speeds up to 140150 km/h, it is quite comfortable. By installing the screen, this threshold can be increased to impressive 180190 km/h. Of course, there is a breeze, and the sounds of the street penetrate inside, nevertheless, even at such speeds, you can, without raising your voice, talk to the fellow traveler.
 
Volkswagen Climatronic one of the best climatic installations is taught to change the algorithm of work depending on whether it is raised or lowered (by the way, it can be raised without removing the screen). Thus, on EOS you can comfortably move without a roof even at a fairly low air temperature is checked on yourself. One night, nature gave a couple of hours without rain, and I hastened to lower, although the thermometer showed 12C. I rode with great pleasure at a speed of up to 150 km/h, towards dawn. In any case, half a minute is not so long, you will not have time to get wet very much. With the raised roof, EOS is completely quiet as an ordinary Golf, and inside it will be comfortable and dry.
 
The top is raised time to evaluate the running qualities. A 2-liter TFSI turbo engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission was installed on the test EOS. A lot has already been said and written about this power plant. Recall that this is the first motor in which a turbocharger was used along with direct fuel injection. Over the past three years, the innovative power unit has won the engine of the year among engines with a working volume of 1.8 to 2 liters three times. All that the turbine gives itself is a characteristic whistle at revolutions above average. There is no lag at all. As, however, there is no pronounced pickup. The moment characteristic is very flat. The capacity of 200 forces provides a decent acceleration dynamics of a very non-light compartment compartment (equipped mass of 1535 kg) 7.8 seconds to hundreds. Great civilian motor with moderate appetite.
 
Long gears do not extinguish the ages. Although given that there are six programs, one could still make them shorter. For example, I took advantage of the highest gear 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 responds to extensions. The lever is comfortable in the palm of the click and click. Only sometimes, at the highest revolutions with a quick switch, the checkpoint shuts down, not allowing to turn on the desired gear. But this is sinning almost any stock pen.
 
Manageability cannot be called sports, but it may well give pleasure. The rotation is close to neutral. With a disconnected (partially) ESP, the car can be easily disrupted and then lead it sideways for a long time or stabilized with gas with a reverse rotation of the steering wheel. Everything is clear and predictable. Only a wonderful folding roof spoils the impression here. More precisely, she is not herself, but the insufficient rigidity of the body, which most convertibles suffer to one degree or another. This is noticeable even with a raised top. In the bend, you can feel how the body tenses, and then, as it were, the car is on marching. Hence the more blurry reactions to the movement of the steering wheel compared to Golf or Passat, delays with sharp rebuilding and the creak of the hatch in the joints with windshield.
 
Well, without a roof, a huge frame of the windshield walks with a shaking glass, 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 all sorts of flaws of the roadway. The rest of the VW models never dreamed of. One way or another, we did not expect that the car, built on the basis of ordinary golf, and even with the retreating roof, would be a sports car. So handling can be considered acceptable. In addition, there is the possibility of year -round operation, a high -quality salon with four full -fledged places, a decent dynamics. But the main thing, of course, is a magnificent roof transformer a source of good mood. Even if you just observe the work of its mechanism, relaxation is provided to you.
 
 
Prices and configuration
In Russia, Volkswagen EOS is sold with four FSI engines with direct injection. These are atmospheric 4-cylinder units with a volume of 1.6 and 2.0 liters, as well as 3.2-liter V6. A 2-liter turbo engine is still possible, as in a test car. Power, respectively, 115, 150, 250 and 200 hp. In a couple to 4-cylinder engines, only a 6-speed manual transmission is offered. The top 3.2-liter engine is complemented by the pre-sequential DSG box. The EOS initial equipment includes external mirrors with electrical control and heating, electric windows, Climatic air conditioning, a steering column with tilt and departure adjustments, a central castle with a DU and the steering wheel power power system. In the list of additional equipment you will find options such as Climatronic, multimedia and navigation systems, IPOD preparation, leather interior, heating of the front seats, a heating washer, parking spaces and much more. The price of a car with a 1.6 liter engine in the basic configuration is $ 34 876. The most expensive EOS with a 3.2-liter engine and a DSG box costs from $ 51 151.
 
 
Dmitry Krotov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Source: Motor magazine [September 2007]