Photo: Volkswagen
The Routan minivan is not the only Volkswagen getting the axe treatment soon, as the company has indirectly admitted today that the Eos convertible is on its last legs. While its fans will be be sad to see it go, there are two other similarly sized soft-top models in the Golf and Beetle that are ready to take its place.
A recent press release from the North American division of the company talks about the Eos Final Edition, indication that in about a year, production of the Eos coupe-convertible will stop.
To motivate people into buying this somewhat outdated design, Volkswagen is dressing up the Eos Final Edition with two-tone leather seats, "silver net" interior trim, 18-inch wheels and more equipment. Other welcomes features include a reversing camera and automatic rain-sensing wipers.
The Final Edition doesn't actually cost extra, since it replaces the Eos Sport trim level. Other changes for the 2015 model year include the Flash Red paint that's now available on Komfort and Executive trims and Pure White color available on all trim levels.
Prices for the 2015 Eos continue to start at $35,595, which gets you a 2.0 turbo engine with 200 horsepower, a six-speed DSG gearbox and 30 mpg highway in the US.
Launched back in 2006, the Eos is slightly longer than the Golf 5 it's based on. A mid-life facelift was introduced in 2010 (sold as a 2011 model year in America). Last year, only 8,000 models models were built at the AutoEuropa factory in Palmela, Portugal. That's an incredibly low figure for one nameplate, especially when you consider Volkswagen also has to market the Beetle Cabriolet and Golf Cabriolet to pretty much the same customers.
To motivate people into buying this somewhat outdated design, Volkswagen is dressing up the Eos Final Edition with two-tone leather seats, "silver net" interior trim, 18-inch wheels and more equipment. Other welcomes features include a reversing camera and automatic rain-sensing wipers.
The Final Edition doesn't actually cost extra, since it replaces the Eos Sport trim level. Other changes for the 2015 model year include the Flash Red paint that's now available on Komfort and Executive trims and Pure White color available on all trim levels.
Prices for the 2015 Eos continue to start at $35,595, which gets you a 2.0 turbo engine with 200 horsepower, a six-speed DSG gearbox and 30 mpg highway in the US.
Why Is Volkswagen Killing the Eos?
Simply put, the market for it just isn't there any more. Convertibles aren't as popular as they used to be and sales have been affected by the rise in popularity of SUVs. When the Eos was first launched, Volkswagen wanted to make a hardtop convertible with premium features for slightly less than BMW 3 Series money. But, the model ended up being quite expensive and its front-wheel drive platform put it at a disadvantage when compared to the Mazda MX-5 and other cheap convertibles.Launched back in 2006, the Eos is slightly longer than the Golf 5 it's based on. A mid-life facelift was introduced in 2010 (sold as a 2011 model year in America). Last year, only 8,000 models models were built at the AutoEuropa factory in Palmela, Portugal. That's an incredibly low figure for one nameplate, especially when you consider Volkswagen also has to market the Beetle Cabriolet and Golf Cabriolet to pretty much the same customers.
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