“Convertibles usually
  come in one of two
  forms: one-dimen-
  sional rag-top or two-
  dimensional metal-
  roofed coupé-conver-
  tible. The three-
  dimensional folding
  hardtop of VW’s
  153mph Eos comes
  with a built-in, powered
  tilt ’n’ slide glass
  sunroof. Beat that...”

AS CHRISTMAS CLOSES IN FAST, our summer — or at least what passed for one this year — is no more than a pale yellow memory and, for many conver-tible-driving UK motorists, a missed opportunity. But not for those fortunate to be driving one of Volkswagen's Eos coupé-convertibles. Actually, the Eos is more than that: not just a run-of-the-mill 'CC' — but a 'CSC'.

So called — 'Coupé-Sunroof-Convertible' — because of its elaborate powered folding roof that ingeniously incorporates an integral glass sunroof into the actual hardtop. And it's this full-width tilt 'n' slide sunroof that makes all the difference. Much larger than your average sunroof, it makes driving with the top up and the light and fresh air flooding in blissful on even not-so-summery days.

For many owners, much of their winter driving is likely to be conducted in this enjoyable manner. Should you be determined to go fully topless then all it take is the push of a button and 25 seconds of your time as the Eos transforms from a stylish, completely weatherproof fixed-head coupé to a proper summertime fully-fledged, four-seater convertible.
It certainly feels even more spacious in the back than Audi's A4 Convertible

Right, so the Eos is classy to look at and it has a classy roof. Look closer and you'll see it's also well built — it is a Volkswagen! — and can be enjoyed in any of its three permutations all year round. Definitely one up on its rivals' one- or two-dimensional roofs. There's a good choice of engines, too: four petrol and one diesel. The diesel is a 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI. Petrol power starts with a 1.6-litre 113bhp then moves on through a 2.0-litre offering either 148 (FSI) or 197bhp (T-FSI) and tops out with a 247bhp 3.2-litre V6. All engines, except the V6, come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen's six-speed DSG automatic transmission is standard on the 3.2 V6 models and offered as an option on the 2.0-litre T-FSI a 2.0-litre TDI engines. There are two trim levels: standard and Sport.

This time round it's the 3.2 V6 FSI Sport we've put through its paces. Headline figures are 247bhp, 244lb ft delivered at 2,500 to 3,000rpm, a high top speed — 153mph — and zero to 62mph acceleration in 7.3 seconds. Equally important these days is the fuel consumption — town 21.1mpg; combined 30.7mpg; extra-urban 41.5mpg — and emissions. The V6 produces 219g/km of CO2 which puts it in Band F to incur a £205 annual road tax bill. Insurance is rated at group 17.

During our eight days and seven nights with the V6 Eos we recorded an average of 27.1mpg — not at all bad and about what you'd expect in the real world given the official figures. And not far adrift from the 30.1 and 32.1 we previously averaged in, respectively, the 2.0 T-FSI and the 2.0 FSI. If fuel economy is a major consideration, the 2.0 TDI we tested averaged 44.8mpg.

Back inside the airy cabin, as outside, the flagship 3.2 V6 Eos is much like the lesser 2.0-litre Eos models. By 'very much like' I mean that it shares the same attention to detail, hard-to-beat build quality, and well considered ergonomics that neatly blend style with function as its lesser brethren. The 160mph speedometer is as honest as they come — as already mentioned, the Eos will run to a genuine 153mph. The cooled glovebox is a boon when the sun is high; there are quite a lot of cubbies and the smooth leather wrapped around the multi-function sports steering wheel feels good to the touch. The 3.2 V6 Sport costs £28,427 on-the-road — but then you do get a decent amount of kit.

Standard features include: semi-automatic air conditioning, heat insulating green tinted glass, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers, auto-dipping rear-view mirror, power-fold heated door mirrors with auto-dimming driver's door mirror, heated front Sports seats with height and lumbar adjustment, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel (leather trimmed), leather upholstery, 'easy entry' sliding front seats, aluminium-look pedals, brushed aluminium trim, four one-shot up/down powered windows, cooled glovebox, low tyre pressure indic-ator and LED rear lights and indicators.

In addition there are rear parking sensors, automatic drive-off central locking, speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, sports suspension (lowered by 15mm), 17-inch 7-arm alloy wheels wearing 235/45 rubber, a full set of active and passive safety equipment including ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and a sophisticated ESP programme that includes an electronic differential lock and traction control.

You also get an active rollover protection system, whiplash-optimised head restraints for the driver and front passenger and front airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as a combined curtain and side impact airbag system for front and rear occupants. And, of course,
you also get the beautifully-engineered, multi-tasking fully-automatic folding roof system with that built-in tilt/slide sunroof we liked so much.

So while the Eos is not 'cheap', owners won't have any complaints. And there'll be none, either, once they've driven it. The same core driving qualities that make less powerful Eos models enjoyable to drive are still in clear evidence. The 3.2-litre powerplant is willing and there is plenty of low-down torque. And partnered with the DSG 'box it serves up a stress-free drive. While it may have 247bhp and 244lb ft of torque, the V6 Eos isn't all about ultimate performance — to judge it so is to miss the mark by a mile.

The Eos rides comfortably on the 45-section 235 rubber. You do know when you're travelling over poorly repaired roads, but potholes and the like don't jar. With the Eos in true coupé mode, it feels as rigid as an all-of-a-piece hatch and we didn't experience any body flex — although from time to time there was a rattle from the sunroof's inner sunblind when closed. This must have been a glitch that needed an adjustment. Judged by other coupé-convertible's rigidity levels, the Eos is easily one of the best. Top up and at speed, the cabin is refined, noticeably quiet at speed and certainly no noisier than an everyday saloon.

But it's the V6 and the DSG 'box that between them define the pace. While the handling is competent — that's not to say you can't have some real fun driving it — it follows where the power leads. Grip is good — from both the chassis and the Bridgestone Potenzas — and even when pushed hard the Eos remains a tidy handler, with good body con-trol and a strong reluctance to break away — at either end!

A passenger taking a first ride might, if you left the six-speed auto-mated-manual Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) in standard 'auto' mode, wonder if there really was a 247bhp 3.2-litre V6 under the bonnet. But that's for smooth cruising and lazy town work. A Sport mode wakes it up dramatically. For 'bruising', flick the gearlever left from 'D' across to manual +/- mode. Steering-wheel-mounted shift-paddles (left 'down'/ right 'up') carry out slick, quick changes that make it a pleasure to use and give the driver absolute control over what gear, when.

Combine this with a spirited 3.2-litre V6 that's game all the way round to the red line and you have the potential for some excitement. For example, leave it in 'manual' third along a twisty B-road and you can really motor. More good news is that the bolstering on the front seats is just right: not too firm, but easily up to the job of keeping you in place. Good brakes add to the sense of being totally in control — discs all round, ventilated at the front, provide good stopping with good feel and a quick bite.

And it is on roads such as these that it's particularly pleasant to have the top down. If there's just the two of you, you can fit the wind blocker. Not only is it very effective at keeping off draughts and buf-feting, but it folds in half and then in half again so as to fit into the boot without stealing too much room. And no broken nails! Because the wind blocker can be left in place with the roof up, it acts as a luggage blind if you need to leave shopping or cases on the rear seats. It also cuts dazzle at night from following traffic and provides an extra degree of privacy.

With the hardtop folded away under the flat rear deck, the Eos —
even without the blocker — is one of the best at keeping turbulence out of the cockpit and out of your hair. Which means that four can travel in the open-to-the-elements Eos. And, unlike a number of folding tin-tops, the Eos does have sufficient room for two adults (as well as ample headroom, too) so long as they're of a medium-ish build. The two rear seats are individually shaped so two's definitely the limit behind the front seats.

Access to the rear, incidentally, is good — thanks to the powered tilt 'n' slide feature on both front seats that can be operated easily by passengers waiting to get in or those about to get out. Also worth a mention are the sturdy sun-visors (with lit vanity mirrors) that stay exactly where you set them and are big enough to keep the sun out of your eyes. Also on the comfort and convenience front, our test Eos was fitted with a number of optional equipment items including the reasonably priced (£395) and highly-effective 2Zone electronic climate control that compensates for top-down/top-up driving.

Talking of boot space, the Eos manages 380 litres for storage — enough for a surprising amount of cases. Roof down, this reduces to 205 litres but then there is a larger than average, lockable 'ski-hatch' and, thanks to the massive electric sunroof, you don't have to lose out on fresh air or luggage space if you keep the hardtop up and open the sunroof. Look beneath the boot floor and you'll find a space-saver spare wheel — although it (or a 'hi-tech' emergency 'puncture repair kit') is almost de rigueur these days, I believe most motorists feel happier with a 'real' spare.

The V6-powered Eos, while not an out-and-out sportscar, nevertheless does a pretty good impression of one. It's pretty fast, pretty classy (our test car looked especially swish finished in Leonie Blue metallic with Black 'Vienna' leather upholstery) and you can fling it around pretty much as you like as and when the mood takes you. Equally sig-nificant, it showcases Volkswagen's much-admired build quality — it feels like it's made to outlast its owner. In fact, live with one for even a few days and you get the strong feeling it was designed and built to a 'get it right' game plan as opposed to a 'down to a price' stricture. Finally, its unique CSC metal folding roof and glass sunroof is not only 'cool', but you can bank on it keeping you that way for a long time to come.

Volkswagen Eos Sport 3.2 V6 DSG | £28,427 Maximum speed: 153mph | 0-62mph: 7.3 seconds Overall test MPG: 27.1mpg | Power: 247bhp | Torque: 244lb ft CO2 219g/km