There are two new Volkswagen convertibles that are will set new trends in droptop technologies, the Beetle and the Eos.
The Beetle convertible inherited the same Beetle external feature, only thing is that it comes with a soft top that folds back like that of a baby buggy. According to some, it has the distinctive look of Beetle convertibles, which was called Cabriolets or Cabrios before. Statistics say that nearly 70 percent of owners are women.
The Eos is on the other hand, was named after the mythical Greek goddess of dawn. And as the source of its name, this convertible comes with cutting-edge technology. Its metal roof is not only retractable but also has an integrated sunroof. According to Volkswagen, the design of the Eos is muscular. They also aim to market it to 40 something college graduate.
There are numerous differences between the two vehicles, like their speed.
The Eos can run up to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds thanks to a 3.2L V-6 of 250 horsepower. The Eos also comes with a 2L turbocharged four that takes around a second longer to 60 mph.
The Beetle on the other hand is not as fast but can very well compete with other cars. Because of its 2.5L inline five-cylinder engine of 150 horsepower it can catch up with the Eos in 10.4 seconds.
The Eos’ V-6 gets 22 mpg in the city or 29 on the highway. The Beetle ragtop with its five-cylinder power plant comes in almost the same 22/30. The difference is that the Eos is bigger.
They differ in the price too. The Beetle soft top starts at $22,120. On the other hand, Eos with the four-banger starts at $27,990 and with the six starts at $36,850. Meanwhile, the Eos V-6 is a bit higher at $40,930.
When the snug hardtop is down on Eos, there’s a rollover protection system that elevates mini-rollbars in accidents. The Beetle also has automatic rollover supports. For its safety features, both cars have anti-lock brakes and vehicle stability control systems.
The Beetle’s windshield is thrust away from the driver but its severe rake produces a wide expanse of upper dashboard. It’s not unlike being in a convertible minivan. With the top down, the view to the rear is restricted.
Base on a road test, the steering of the Beetle is quick but curves are taken without almost no road feel. While the Eos can go around curves with glue-like adhesion with little body roll. The steering is also quick and accurate with agile handling. The 12-way heated seats helps soak up the bumps and makes for fine cross-country driving. One disadvantage though is that it does not have a lot of cargo capacity to offer motorists.
