Volkswagen Eos facelift to dawn mid-2011

FANS of the Eos convertible in Australia will have to wait until the middle of next year before they can get their hands on the facelifted MY12 version.

To be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November, the four-seater Volkswagen convertible gains the company’s corporate nose, eliminating the single-frame grille look that has characterised the series since its 2006 debut.

Restyled bumpers front and rear and LED tail-lights are the other obvious exterior alterations, along with new wheels and colour choices.

The MY12 Eos’ makeover is essentially in line with the changes the Golf underwent from Mk5 to Mk6 at the end of 2008, and also includes the introduction of more efficient drivetrains and new cabin trim.

There are also revised instruments, improved multimedia devices, a redesigned steering wheel, and a host of functionality improvements, bringing the folding hardtop up to date within the contemporary Volkswagen family.

Left: Volkswagen MY2012 Eos. Below: Volkswagen MY2011 Eos.

A second-generation Park Assist system will more competently steer a reversing Eos into a tight spot for you, while the key fob can now lower and raise the roof without any need to be inside the vehicle.

This year to the end of September, the Eos has been the fourth bestseller in its sub-$80,000 Sports car category as defined by VFACTS, registering 756 buyers.

It easily beats all other folding hardtop convertibles such as the Peugeot 308 CC (247), Peugeot 207 (166), and Renault Megane CC (39), but is outgunned by the BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertible duo (1629), Mercedes-Benz CLC (1085), and Kia Cerato Koup (937) in that category.

The Eos facelift is not to be confused with the MY11 upgrade of the existing model announced last week, which sees an upgrade to the Mk6 Golf GTI’s 155kW 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine in the new 155TSI. Previously its 147TSI predecessor employed the old GTI’s 147kW unit.

Other MY11 Eos additions include Hill Start Assist (which keeps brake pressure on an incline for 1.5 seconds to aid smooth take-off), larger (17-inch) alloy wheels, and Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats as standard fare.

On display at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this week, the MY11 Eos’ prices have not changed – retailing at $46,990 for the continuing diesel-powered 103TDI and $2000 more for the new 155TSI.