Volkswagen really hit the ground running when it launched the Eos. In all forms it's a very handsome-looking car (perhaps because it's a unique design, not directly related to that of any other model as other coupé-convertibles are) and it is also one of the most delightful to drive. The ultimate model is the car tested here, with its 3.2-litre V6 engine and DSG transmission.Needless to say, it's the quickest car in the range, though it's not outstandingly faster than the 2.0 TSI Sport tested previously. The engine produces a maximum of 247bhp, which is enough to give the Eos a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a 154mph top speed.The figures seem impressive, but no Eos is particularly sporty to drive. Like the others, this one is nicely balanced, and the major controls are beautifully weighted, and although it's a delight to drive for these reasons you never feel inspired to start tearing up the tarmac with it. Which may, of course, be a good thing.Perhaps you'd choose the V6 because of its refinement? But no other Eos is particularly raucous. Okay - maybe you want to enjoy the eerie howl of a six-cylinder engine? But you would really have to push hard to notice it. Precisely because of the refinement of the range as a whole, this car does not normally sound much different from its stablemates.It's becoming difficult to justify choosing the V6 over the other cars in the range, all the more so because the list price is £28,400. And that's if you don't pick any of the options. The test car was generously endowed with extra equipment, and just wait till you hear what that did to the cost.Are you sitting down? Well, our Eos came with DVD satellite navigation, a 6-CD autochanger, a wind deflector, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a leather multifunction steering wheel, bi-xenon headlights (with corner lighting, washers and automatic height adjustment) and metallic paint.A tempting array of goodies, I think you'll agree. But if you pick all of them the Eos Sport V6 will cost you no less than £32,370. This is huge money. In the past I've expressed the opinion that the Eos - which remains at the top of my personal wish list in the coupé-convertible class - stops making sense well before £30,000. By the time it reaches £32,370 I think you'd be better off buying something else entirely.Yes, I like the Eos, but it's not perfect, and at this level of expenditure I'd be starting to feel mightily vexed about some of its less fortunate aspects, such as the cramped rear seats (hard enough to reach in any case because the front seatbelts are in the way) and the fact that the boot has a capacity of just 380 litres even when you haven't folded the roof into it. Nearly every other coupé-convertible can beat that.It depends, of course, on what your budget is. If this is meant to be your "fun" car - the least expensive in your personal fleet, and a means to enjoy wind-in-the-hair motoring on pleasant days - then you probably won't be worrying about the cost. If it's to be your main - or perhaps your only - car, and you have to watch the pennies to some extent, then other models in the range offer much better value. Engine 3189 cc, 6 cylinders Power 250 bhp @6300 rpm Torque 244 ib/ft @2750 rpm Transmission 6 speed semi-auto Fuel/CO2 30.7 mpg / 219 g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 7.3sec Top speed 153 mph Price From £29657.00 approx Release date 10/11/2006
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