2012 Volkswagen Eos in Tiffin, OH - $8,990

The Volkswagen Eos is the automaker's only four-seat hard-top convertible with an integrated sunroof. Fun, fancy and sophisticated, the German automaker has melded bedrock solid mechanicals into an exciting package that has proven to be a hit with motorists.

Changes for the 2014 model year include a reduction of trim levels from four to three: Komfort, the more performance-focused Sport, and Executive.

Top up or down, the Volkswagen Eos has a sleek, elegant profile, highlighted by a swept-back windshield, slim roof pillars to ensure great all-round visibility, and a bold-muscular body line that starts by the front wheel arch and sweeps back all the way to the rear light. Extending between the swept-back headlamps is a prominent, slim grille featuring three gloss-black blades, each trimmed with a narrow chrome strip. The front bumper design incorporates a deep, restyled air dam with horizontal blades matching those of the grille. Mounted at the edges, halogen reflector-lens fog lamps have a corner-illuminating feature.

Sport and Executive trims receive Bi-Xenon high-intensity headlights with bright-white LED Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). This system can turn the headlamps up to 15 degrees for increased night-time visibility around curves. At the rear, Eos has two-part LED taillights with fiber-optic technology and a bumper with lower black diffuser and chrome dual-tipped exhausts.

Power for the Volkswagen Eos is generated by a 2.0L turbo-charged four cylinder engine. Torque is delivered to the pavement via a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed DSG automatic transmission with Tiptronic is optional.

The CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible) structure is a revolutionary five-panel roof that transforms the coupe's hardtop, with integrated sunroof and heated-glass rear window, into an open air convertible. With the click of a switch, the Eos delivers the pleasures of a traditional "ragtop" and the protected and quiet interior of a hardtop.

In an industry "first-and-only", the panoramic, tinted glass power sunroof is integrated into the folding roof of the Eos. The externally-guided, tilt-and-slide sunroof with automatic pinch protection gets "sandwiched" between roof panels as the hard top is lowered. The sophisticated roof movement is accomplished using a switch in the center console that activates eight hydraulic cylinders with mechanical linkages. In just 25 seconds, the hard-top is completely and automatically lowered. If the weather changes, another click of the roof switch quickly raises the solid panels to create a protected, quiet interior environment found in traditional steel-top coupes.

Control hardware for the Eos consists of a front McPherson strut concept with triangular wishbones and self-leveling shock absorbers. At the rear is a fully-independent, four-link suspension. Stabilizer bars front and rear add to roll control and reduce lateral drift.

Inside the passenger cabin, the upscale interior design can be configured in three colors, with dark colors dominating the upper areas to minimize windshield reflections. Plastics used in the lower area of the dash are coated with a soft-effect paint. The dash includes Volkswagen's typically dominant center console, and the side areas are spread out like wings to the left and right. Interior trim is available with genuine walnut wood, full brushed aluminum or metallic-look synthetic interior trim.

Eight-way manual adjusting front seats are standard, as is Climatic single-zone air conditioning. Easy entry rear seats "remember" the driver's and front passenger's longitudinal seating position and return to these once the rear passengers have entered or exited the vehicle.

Lastly, Volkswagen will offer its VW Car-Net™ connected services later this model year on the full Eos lineup. VW Car-Net—which has a six-month no-charge trial period—offers a wealth of security and convenience features, including Automatic Crash Notification, roadside assistance services, and stolen vehicle location assistance. In addition, VW Car-Net adds: remote vehicle access; boundary and speed alerts; a vehicle health report; and an enhanced POI service on vehicles equipped with a navigation system. Most of the features can be administered through a handy smartphone app.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 101.5; overall length: 174.1; width: 70.5; height: 56.9

All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder – 200 hp at 5,100 rpm and 207 lbs-ft of torque at 1,700 rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed DSG automatic with Tiptronic

EPA Fuel Economy: 22 city/30 highway

Cargo capacity: 10.5 cubic feet

Safety features

Dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, front seat side-curtain protection, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, anti-slip regulation, electronic stability control, electronic differential lock, hill-hold control, rollover protection system, front fog lights with cornering lamps, navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, power central locking system, daytime running lights, and tire pressure monitoring system. Sport adds Bi-Xenon high intensity headlights, adaptive front lighting system, and keyless entry with push-button start. Executive adds park distance control and rearview camera.

Warranty

Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile

Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile

Corrosion: 12-year/unlimited

Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2014 Volkswagen Eos starts from $35,195 for the Komfort, $37,925 for the Sport and $41,695 for the Executive. Destination charges add $865.