The new Volkswagen Cabriolet-Coupe is to be called Eos

The Volkswagen Cabriolet-Coupe which was one of the stars of the 74th Geneva Automobile Salon in March 2004 as “Concept C” is to be released under the name of EOS – and will be seen in production mode for the first time in Frankfurt on September 12. The car is one of three production models debuting at the show with a cabriolet-coupe design. The Eos body concept has not been derived from a closed roof model; it was developed as an independent cabriolet-coupé.

Fundamental technology such as the engine range (85 kW/115 PS to 184 kW/250 PS) and running gear can all be traced back to the new Passat. The vehicle features a new generation of fold-away steel roof, which transforms this four-seat Volkswagen from a coupe to a cabriolet in a matter of only seconds. The roof also features an integrated glass sunroof. The concept C was powered by a 110-kW / 150-hp FSI engine – no details have been released on the Eos.

The name Eos refers to the Greek goddess of the dawn and evokes associations with an idealised cabriolet driving situation – in the early minutes of a summer day. Phonetically, Eos is a quick, clear name which is easy to say all over the world.

The Eos concept continues to draw on Greek mythology. The goddess Eos rose with her chariot from the depths of the sea to bring the people daylight every morning. Eos is also the mother of the wind and of the evening and morning star. Dawn, wind, stars – this all fits in perfectly with driving this fascinating cabriolet.

The following information is drawn from the March 2004 press kit for the Concept C vehicle upon which the Eos is based.

Concept: Cabriolet and coupé

Taking a whole new approach. What makes this automobile so distinctive is its design, the base technology used and its dimensions. The progressive look of the concept C, with its "Pure Essence” metallic finish, takes the fascinating form first used on the concept R roadster design study, with all deviating contours having been subjected to intriguingly new design ideas. The same is true of the technology used: the concept C features an array of newly developed components.

These components enable a new interplay of vehicle dimensions. The concept C has moved away from the class of cabriolet found in the A segment. Positioned in the mid-class segment, it is as much a cabriolet as it is a coupé. This automobile looks wider than any other cabriolet in the A or B segment - and it is. Because of its extreme width of 1.81 metres (1.43 m high / 4.41 m long), the concept C rests as sturdily upon its wheels as would a beefy, high-calibre sports car. A tread width of the axles is designed to accommodate future vehicle generations and helps to produce exceptional agility and reliable handling properties in the concept C. The result is pure driving pleasure - be it with the roof up or down.

The interior of this fully-fledged four seater. The vehicle's dual-tone interior offers similarly attractive dimensions and details. The upper sections of the compartment (dashboard, spandrel and the instrument panel) are a rich green (known as "Deep Storm”), with a lighter beige tone ("On Shore”) used for the seats, the upholstery and all the interior elements situated below the window rails. The inner section of the seats themselves have been given a particularly stylish touch through the contrasting stripes that run across them. Timber applications on the side panels produce an exceptionally luxurious look. The upper sections of the door panels take on the styled curve of the dashboard. And the newly developed cockpit, with its instruments set in brushed aluminium frames, ideally interprets the sporty character of the concept C. This high-quality material is also used in the design of the air outlets.

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