Concept C is a goer

Newswheel staff :: 12 September 2005 :: Filed under Cabriolet, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Eos, Europe & UK, Trade shows, US,

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VW's slinky drop-top coupe concept becomes production reality

VW’s Concept C showcar smelt like a production car when it was unsheathed in Geneva 18 months ago. And so it’s proven with the official unveiling of the Eos four-seater coupe/cabriolet today at the Frankfurt motorshow. It’s an absolute dead ringer for the Concept C.

We’re all for manufacturers delivering on their concept car promises (and VW started the current trend of concept cars made manifest with the Audi TT). But there’s no doubting that a-year-and-a-half’s worth of familiarity dulls the drama of a new car launch like this.

Whatever, VW’s new tin-top drophead coupe is being billed <pause for very small fanfare> as the world’s first four seater with a five-section folding hard top and will be offered with all the usual powerplant suspects found in cars derived from the front / all-wheel drive VW Golf PQ35 platform (though the Eos probably utilises the stretched PQ46 version as found underneath the new Passat).

Petrol power
So, that’s gas guzzlers ranging from the downright gutless 115bhp 1.6 in-line four to the really rather raspy 3.2 V6 (the narrow-angle unit previously known as VR6) kicking out 250bhp. Of course, Europe is in the midst of diesel mania, so VW will also be desecrating this style conscious car with a range of droney, clattery oil burners, topping out with the familiar 140bhp 2-litre TDi unit. Of more interest is the fact that the V6 model comes with the DSG dual-clutch gearbox, first seen on the Audi TT 3.2, as standard.

As for performance, the V6 petrol-powered model is a genuine 250kph car (155mph in old money) and cracks the 0-100kph / 0-62mph sprint in 7.3 seconds. Our only concern is kerb weight.  Figures haven’t been released, but  that 7.3 to 60 acceleration stat makes this car a serious slug given the 250bhp output. We expect the car to weigh in at well over 1,500kg, and may even breach 1,600kg.

VW’s suits have yet to diluvge pricing, but it won’t be cheap – the car is being positioned above the existing Beetle cabriolet.Meanwhile, availability in Europe kicks off in Spring 2006. Although no further dates were given, VW has committed to flogging the Eos on “all five continents”.

Concept C above, Eos below. Smiling faces all over the shop.