Dayton Daily News

As the clock ticks down on 2007, it's time to look at one of the innovative new cars of the year — the four-passenger, hardtop convertible Volkswagen Eos.

Volkswagen is, of course, a German manufacturer, but the final assembly of the Eos is in Portugal. This must be where they slipped in the sunroof. That's right, a sunroof in a convertible.

We said it was innovative.

Not only does the Eos provide the security and wind-reducing solidity of a hardtop, but it incorporates a sunroof feature within the five-panel retractable hardtop. With the press of a switch on the center console, you can go from a quick shot of open air or proceed all the way through a 25-second process that sends the panels into the trunk.

Marvel at it.

The Eos is a friendly little car to get to know. From the sprightly engine to the subtle handling, this should please shoppers who find the VW Beetle convertible lacking because of it being a soft-top or because of its youthful bent.

There are four price points for the Eos. The base version starts at $28,110 and comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. The next trim is the 2.0T, which also has the 2.0-liter turbo and manual transmission, but tacks on several items that are detailed in the next paragraph. The price is $30,110. With a sequential manual transmission (SMT) the price is $31,185. The top-level trim is the 3.2L that uses a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, SMT and many add-ons for $36,970.

All Eos trims come with a lengthy list of safety features including front side airbags, automatic roll bars, front-seat active head restraints, antilock brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor and daytime running lights. Also included are traction control and limited-slip differential. Additional standard items are a tilt/telescope steering wheel, heated power mirrors with turn signals, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, CD player, tachometer, cooled glovebox, rear defogger, fog lights and alloy wheels. The 2.0T that we drove also came with dual-zone automatic climate controls, heated front seats, 12-way power driver seat, center console, trip computer, heated washer nozzles and a wind deflector.

Note the heated power mirrors and heated washer nozzles. This truly is a convertible built for all weather.

Our test vehicle came loaded. There was a Sport Package for $3,690 that included leather upholstery, sport seats up front, brushed aluminum interior trim, steering wheel audio system controls, rain-sensing wipers, satellite radio,

12-way power passenger seat and 17-inch alloy wheels. These wheels were then optioned out for 18-inch alloy wheels for an additional $400. The base wheels are 16-inchers. There was a navigation system with iPod adapter for $1,800. This option deletes the in-dash 6-disc CD changer. There was also an upgraded sound system for $1,000. The final option was a rear-obstacle detection system for $350. With destination charges, the bottom line was $37,990.

While the Eos is a four-passenger car, don't mistake it for a larger coupe. The rear-seat space is tight for anybody beyond young teens or small adults. There isn't much room for hauling cargo, either, with the top down at 6.6 cubic feet, although the 10.4 cubic feet available when the top is up is not bad. There is also a lockable rear-seat pass-through for long items.

Whatever your people- or cargo-carrying circumstances, though, it's for sure that the Volkswagen Eos will delight you when the hardtop rolls back to provide a sunroof — or goes all the way into becoming a convertible.

David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.