FOR more than half a century, Volkswagen has been involved with the world of wind-in-your-hair driving.
This relationship opened up back in the 1950s with the introduction of the soft-top Beetle before the Golf Convertible added to the company's line-up of topless performers from the spring of 1980.
Last summer, VW's cabriolet class welcomed a newcomer with the arrival of the Eos which heralded a new dawn for the German car maker, combining the benefits of a full convertible and hard-top coupe to maintain the company's long-running topless tradition.
In typically generous Volkswagen fashion, this newcomer is offered with a choice of five engines, four petrol and one diesel - 1.6-litre 115bhp FSI, two-litre 148bhp FSI, two-litre 198bhp T FSI and two-litre 138bhp TDI all paired with a standard six-speed smooth-shifting manual gear change while the flagship 3.2-litres 248bhp V6 gets a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox
Two trim levels are offered with the Eos, Standard including the likes of electric windows all round, four-speaker stereo with CD, air con, ABS braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) with Traction Control and active roll-over protection system, plus parking sensors while Sport trim takes matters to an even higher plane adding aluminium-look pedals, low tyre pressure indicator and sports suspension.
Although some automotive aficionados maintain that members of the hard-top brigade are perhaps not quite the real deal in terms of true convertible motoring, the Eos, which takes its name from the Greek goddess of the Dawn, also boasts a unique touch. It is currently the only convertible to come with a tilt and slide glass sunroof as standard, thus Eos is not billed like its mainstream competitors as a Coupe Cabrio (CC) but as a CSC which translates as Convertible, Sliding Coupe.
The electrically-operated folding hard-top is made up of five parts rather than the traditional three and, with the roof in place, once the switch is pressed the front half of the centre section will slide back to provide a large sunroof more than a metre wide.
However, as you park up, it will become quickly obvious the watching audience that your actions have attracted also wants to see the complete performance so, to get the full round of applause, continue to depress the switch - which is adjacent to the handbrake - and, while stationary, with some cleverly orchestrated choreography, the Eos changes from sunroof mode to full open-top convertible in just 25 seconds.
Designed from the ground up as a convertible coupe, Eos is most certainly not a drop-top car created by removing the roof of a hard-top model so, unlike some rivals, it is a most handsome looker, with the ability to instantly turn the heads of bystanders.
With top up or down thanks to the uninterrupted, smooth lines of a sweeping V-shape flowing from the Passat-like face through a gently rising waistline and cleverly flared wheel arches to the clean lines of a very attractive and distinctive rear.
This is definitely a stunner to be seen in while out on the town or in the country.
However, while perhaps not quite so much as some convertible rivals, the Eos is still somewhat compromised in the baggage department, a pretty healthy 380 litres of stowage space swiftly reducing to an albeit still useable 205 litres as the roof goes down.
The flagship 3.2-litre V6 FSI in Sport trim comes with the likes of Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats, electrically foldable door mirrors and follow-me-home headlamps.
Mounted on 17-inch Westwood alloys and looking impressively able with its wide tracking it is hugely capable with the 3.2-litre petrol engine taking the 0-62mph sprint in a little over seven seconds with average fuel economy at just over 30mpg.
Wind noise - roof up or down - is impressively low and there is plenty of the fun factor to be had.
Overall, this is a stunning looking, well built and great driving cabrio from the German car giant as VW strives to become the 'open' champion in a field of top class convertible contenders.
FAST FACTS
Volkswagen Eos Sport 3.2 V6 FSI
Price: £28,415
Mechanical: 250bhp, 3,189cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 154mph
0-62mph: 7.3 secs
Combined mpg: 30.7
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 219g/km
BiK rating: 30%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust