2012 Volkswagen Eos Convertible Road Test Review

By Bob Plunkett

The seaside curb on Ocean Avenue, perched atop a palm-studded bluff overlooking blue-blue Pacific waves in Santa Monica Bay, is where we encounter the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Eos pop-top hardtop convertible fresh from a debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Eos?

Say "EEE-ose" and you're close enough.

The name comes from the goddess of the dawn in ancient Greek mythology and the revamped vehicle from Volkswagen adopting this moniker makes the sun come up every time you tap a console toggle and switch it from a retractable hardtop coupe (with built-in sunroof) to a streamlined open-top and airy convertible.

Sleek Eos with two doors for passengers and seats for four in a well-stocked cabin rides on a platform modified from the subcompact Golf GTI with front-wheel-drive orientation and the muscle of a turbo-charged yet gas-sipping four-cylinder engine.

The 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder plant -- with turbocharger and intercooler aboard plus direct injection -- produces 200 hp at 5100 rpm and torque of 207 lb-ft between 1800-5000 rpm.

This turbo plant manages to nix the customary lag in timing for launch -- that annoying lull of a second or more after pushing the accelerator while the turbocharger spools up before spitting out boosted torque to turn the wheels.

As a result, the 2012 Eos as outfitted with the turbo in-line-four leaps immediately off the line for a run through the gear ladder. Full Review Here.