The new Volkswagen Cabriolet-Coupe is to be called Eos

The cabriolet roof

The roof of the concept C is drawn open and back by way of an electro-hydraulic motor. The way in which this intelligently constructed five-part roof system tucks away out of sight is truly astonishing - both technologically and visually.

Once the lock-in mechanism is released, the sunroof retracts to the back of the vehicle (stage 1). Then the rear windscreen (including the C pillar) lifts up and glides forward (stage 2). By this time, the glass sunroof is moved underneath the rear end of the hardtop roof, forming a compact sandwich unit. The system hydraulics now fold the boot lid, to which the rear shelf is attached, all way back (stage 3). The sandwich unit then slides back and into place; only now do the roof rails release themselves from the windscreen frame (stages 4 and 5), folding into a Z shape and retracting into position. The integrated sunroof and the rear section of the hardtop roof are drawn completely back, the roof rails are led into the available cavities (and covered) adjacent to the rear side windows. Sound complicated? It is complicated. But it functions perfectly and looks great.

Because the roof rails do not move vertically, but only horizontally, and because the sandwich unit is so compact, not a lot of upward room is needed to draw the hardtop up or down, thereby allowing roof conversion to function even in low-ceilinged spaces.

Around 400 litres of stowage space and room for skis.

Because the hardtop roof folds away so compactly, there is plenty of room left in the boot even when the roof is down (approx. 200 litres). When the roof is up, stowage space is increased to around 400 litres. A tunnel which passes through the rear bench and the bulkhead also enables the transportation of skis or other, similarly lengthy, items.

Design: The shape of things to come

Compact-type cabriolets can tend to look thin and disproportionately high (especially when the roof is up), given the dimensions taken from the mass-series derivates on which they are modelled. While the larger-sized cabriolets don't have this figure problem, they also do not have much appeal if you like an athletic, compact look and a coupé-like style when the roof is up.

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