2011 VOLKSWAGEN EOS: LUXURIOUS GERMAN ENGINEERING WITH A SPORTY TWIST
10/28/2010
Volkswagen
The 2011 Volkswagen Eos is ready to deliver the pure thrills that can only be had on the open road, with a versatile three-mode retractable hardtop that allows drivers and passengers to maximize their driving enjoyment all year long. Starting at $32,940, and available in the well-appointed Komfort and Lux trim levels with an array of color choices, the 2011 Eos is a pioneer in its class with distinct Volkswagen styling and a German-inspired driving experience.
Exterior
The 2011 Eos stands out against the competition for all the right reasons, led by its traditional coupe, full-function sunroof, and total convertible (CSC(R)) roof modes. The roof's innovative design gives owners the choice of enjoying their Eos in one of two distinct forms with the touch of a button: As a luxurious two-door coupe, or as an inviting four-seat convertible. The roof can be fully lowered and hidden below the rear deck in only 25 seconds, and is raised back into position just as quickly with another press of the center console button. A collection of hydraulics and mechanical linkages handle the speedy process, as they fold and align the roof panels that include the tinted glass power sunroof.
A Trunk Lid Assistance function is available with integrated bumper sensors to monitor up to 20 inches behind the Eos to help prevent the roof from being raised or lowered if an obstruction is detected. A cargo cover in the trunk must also be latched into position before the roof can be lowered. Additionally, the roof cannot be moved unless the Eos is turned on and the vehicle's speed remains below 0.6 mph throughout the process. A roof status indicator will also provide a warning if the roof is not secured in either the up or down position.
The front of the 2011 Eos carries a crisp, luxurious appearance with aggressive headlights that can be outfitted either with standard halogen lamps, or optional High Intensity Gas-discharged Xenon lamps with an Adaptive Front-lighting System that can steer the headlights with a turn for better driver vision. Crystalline halogen fog lamps are positioned at the lower front corners and are in perfect alignment with the headlights. The chrome bumper rests between the grille and the lower front fascia, which come with chrome louvers on the Lux model, and carries its lines up along the hood. The Eos' profile is clean and understated with a muscular line that starts toward the top of the door and heads almost all the way back to the end of the quarter panel. The rearview mirrors are power folding units and have integrated turn signal indicators for added safety. At the rear, the Eos comes standard with LED tail lamps, turn signals, and third brake light, and is finished with a chrome, dual-tipped exhaust for a simple and classy look.
Interior
The inside of the 2011 Eos' interior is as every bit chic and pure Volkswagen as the exterior, and can be customized in either the Komfort or Lux package levels, along with a full palette of rich colors to adorn the seating services and trim. The Komfort model comes standard with the comfortable yet durable V-Tex leatherette material for the front and rear seats, while the Lux model is highlighted by soft leather and three colors to choose from. From the 12-way, power-adjusted driver's seat is an unobstructed view of the new gauge cluster with white-faced instrument dials that surround the improved multifunction digital readout. The three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel has also been tastefully revised for better all around feel, and convenient access to controls for the multimedia system. A pop-up mesh wind deflector is provided on the front windshield frame, along with a removable wind-blocker that can be mounted behind the front seats to improve both front and rear passenger comfort when driving the Eos in convertible mode.
The center console starts with chrome-bordered air vents that generously accent the available walnut wood, brushed aluminum, or metallic-look synthetic trim. For entertainment, all Eos models are outfitted with a standard AM/FM/CD stereo system with MP3 CD readability, an in-dash, six-disc changer, eight speakers, an auxiliary input for connecting other audio devices, Bluetooth(R) mobile phone connectivity and limited-time complimentary SIRIUS Satellite Radio(R) service. Also standard is the Volkswagen Media Device Interface and iPod(R) cable, enabling playback and control of a multitude of USB-based devices and drives.
Audiophiles who choose the Lux model can also select the Dynaudio(R) Premium Sound System that comes with a total of ten high-end speakers, a 600 Watt amplifier, and Digital Sound Processor technology for superior clarity.
The Lux model can also be ordered with the new navigation system that has a 6.5" high resolution touch-screen display, an integrated 30GB hard drive (10GB for navigation, 20GB for audio), WMA / MP3 audio CD playback, DVD playback, an SD memory card slot, an auxiliary input connection, steering-wheel controls, and limited-time complimentary Sirius Real-Time Traffic programming.
The Eos also comes with 10.5-cubic feet of trunk storage space with the roof in the coupe or sunroof positions, and a usable 6.6-cubic feet of space when the roof is fully retracted in convertible mode. Larger items can be conveniently stored by folding down the lockable pass-through available in the rear seat.
Engine and Transmission
Matching the innovative exterior design and functionality of the 2011 Eos is the drive train nestled under the hood. Driving the front wheels is Volkswagen's potent 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder gasoline engine. Built with efficient performance in mind, the 2.0L is outfitted with four valves per cylinder and variable timing, dual overhead camshafts, and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters. Meticulously managing fuel usage and power delivery is Volkswagen's fully-electronic system with drive-by-wire throttle control, and TSI(R) direct fuel injection. The result is an engine that reacts instantly to driver input via the gas pedal, and holds a stout 200 horsepower (5,100 rpm) and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque (1,800 to 5,000 rpm) on tap, all without sacrificing fuel economy.
The Eos comes with two transmission choices to best fit the everyday needs of its drivers. The first is a standard six-speed manual arrangement that includes a ratio of 3.94 in sixth gear, giving the Eos EPA-estimated fuel economy returns of 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, as well as a 7.4 second run from 0 to 60 mph.
The second option is Volkswagen's variable DSG(R) six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic(R) control. Although its ability to give the Eos a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.4 seconds, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, is impressive, what makes the DSG transmission really stand above the crowd are its technologically-inspired techniques. An automated dual-clutch system, which engages and disengages gears without the need for a driver-activated clutch pedal, pairs up with the DSG's special computer that allows the transmission to shift faster than a traditional automatic or manual setup. The clutch for the next needed gear is engaged in concert with the release of the previous gear's clutch, making for performance-oriented shifts that lack any noticeable drop or lag in power. Tiptronic mode stops the transmission's automated shifting, and gives the driver full control over the gear changes through the tapping of the gearshift lever up or down, or by using the shift paddles mounted on Eos' the steering wheel.
Chassis and Suspension
To keep the Eos riding as good as it looks, a fully independent suspension is employed at both the front and rear to maximize driver control and passenger comfort. Front-end duties are handled with a pair of MacPherson struts and corresponding anti-roll bar that help keep everything even through the turns. At the back is a four-link arrangement that makes use of self-leveling shocks, a rear stabilizer bar and a rear axle that is decoupled from the main body of the Eos. This allows for a quieter riding experience for rear passengers during travel along most any kind of road surfaces.
Steering controls are augmented by an electromechanical power system that includes variable speed assistance and active return for an always-confident feel. The Eos also enjoys a tight turning radius of only 35.8 feet, and goes well with Volkswagen's optional Park Distance Control System, making maneuvers through the parking lot much simpler.
Four-wheel disc brakes come as standard on the 2011 Eos, with vented rotors supplying hefty stopping power up front, and solid rotors at the back. A full Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and brake wear indicators are also standard equipment for added peace of mind when heading down the road. On both the Komfort and Lux models, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) provides another safety advantage, while 17-inch (Komfort and Lux) standard alloy wheels add clean looks. A premier set of 18-inch wheels and a tighter sport suspension can be applied to the Lux model.
Active and Passive Safety
The 2011 Eos models come with the Volkswagen Prevent and Preserve Safety System, including over 45 active and passive safety features. Six airbags (front, thorax, and Side Curtain Protection(R)), three-point safety belts with pretensioners, and rear-impact optimized head restraints are at the ready for both the driver and front passenger, while three-point safety belts and an Active Rollover Support system are set up for the rear seats. The system "pops up" two spring-loaded aluminum posts in 0.25 seconds behind the rear seat headrests to help protect rear passengers in the event of a frontal, side, or rear collision, or if severe lateral tilt or a rollover situation is detected.
Volkswagen's decision to include ESC standard on the Eos, and all other 2011 Volkswagen models, comes ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mandate that by the 2012 model year, all vehicles produced will need to include some form of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). According to NHTSA, having ESC in a vehicle results in 35 percent fewer single vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen's ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual direction. If a discrepancy is detected, ESC automatically brakes individual wheels and/or reduces engine power to help maintain directional control.
Roadside Assistance and Warranty
For added convenience, the 2011 Eos comes standard with 24-hour Roadside Assistance (third party provider) for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first). Meanwhile, the following new vehicle limited warranties are standard:
Five-year / 60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
Three-year / 36,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty
12-year unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation Like all 2011 model year Volkswagen models, the Eos is included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program, all of the car's scheduled maintenance, as described in the maintenance booklets, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty - three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, Eos models use synthetic oil, which, when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, eliminates the need for a 5,000 mile oil change. This ultimately allows Volkswagen owners to driver farther between scheduled oil changes.