Volkswagen Eos coupé cabriolet
The German manufacturer scores a world première : a 5-piece folding glass roof.
With this model, the German manufacturer scores a world première : a 5-piece folding glass roof. A breezy innovation…
Its name recalls the Greek goddess of the dawn : according to legend, Eos rises each morning with her team of horses from the depths of the sea, to bring light to mere mortals. With its extremely homogeneous design, this car is above all characterized by its CSC roof in glass and steel, which disappears into the trunk in just 25 seconds. All it takes is a few clicks ! Once activated, the sliding sun-roof glides towards the back of the car. Almost simultaneously, all of the rear section of the roof lifts forward then backwards, sliding beneath the rear end of the vehicle and forming a compact “sandwich” system. An hydraulic control tips the rear cover of the trunk backwards to accommodate, then cover, the sliding roof and luggage compartment cover. Sensors installed in the bumpers scan the space behind the Eos to detect any obstacles. If nothing hinders the procedure, the lateral roof supports retract from the windscreen frame, and the roof and its rear section is lowered down completely. Finally, the supports slide back to the level of the rear side windows and settle into hollow spaces hidden by panels. You don’t have to worry about height when performing this manoeuvre : you can transform the hard-top coupé into sporty cabriolet even in low-roofed garages.
Always attentive to passenger safety, Volkswagen has provided a rollover protection system as standard, together with new-concept head and thorax airbags. The first deploys in the rear head-rest area in 0.25 seconds maximum, after pre-determined values of transversal acceleration or tilting have been exceeded. Also provided as standard fixtures, the lateral airbags fulfil a triple function : protection of the abdomen, head and thorax. In the event of a collision, they open horizontally and vertically.
Noble finishing touches
Light alloy 16-inch wheels, “Climatronic” air conditioning, fog lights, electric steering wheel, wipers and sports seats, ESP, RDC ‘300+’ radio with 8 speakers… All the standard features are of very high quality. Add to that a few significant details : the “Climatronic” air conditioning takes into account whether the roof is open or closed, and controls the flow of hot or cold air accordingly. Thanks to its bi-xenon headlights with directional and steering beams, the Advanced Frontlight System (AFS) improves the driver’s safety, as well as that of other road users. Fans of music who want to enjoy perfect sound quality with their hair blowing in the wind will appreciate the 600W Dynaudio sound system. With the roof down, the Eos offers an elongated silhouette with a sturdy rear and a short windscreen. Ideal proportions which cast it as a real cabriolet in the true sense of the term, and as a coupé “par excellence”. An elegant sports car for drivers looking for new sensations.
By Cécile Olivéro - Photos : press
