Volkswagen has already unveiled three new product designs in the last year (Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Touareg and Volkswagen Jetta), and it now plans to spread its new design language to one of its quickly aging models, the Volkswagen Eos. Using VW’s new boxy design, the 2012 Volkswagen Eos will offer an improved styling to go along with its fun driving experience, which is courtesy of the retractable hardtop. The new VW Eos will be unveiled on Nov. 17 at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show, and it will go on sale in spring 2011.
Aside from the Volkswagen New Beetle, which is being canceled next year, the VW Eos is currently the oldest vehicle in the automaker’s line-up having been introduced for the 2007 model year, and this styling change for 2012 a much-needed mid-cycle refresh to keep the car competitive. With VW’s new design language going away from the scalloped headlights and chrome shield front grille, the new Eos design is treated to VW’s boxier, more athletic look. In addition to the horizontal headlights and grille, the blacked-out fog light bezels help to accent the lower intake in the front fascia to give the car a more aggressive look. It appears the 2012 VW Eos will also get Audi-like LED daytime running lamps integrated into headlights.
The rear view of the car has also been significantly updated with reshaped taillights and a sportier rear fascia. Like the front end of the car, the taillights ditch the scalloped look of the current Eos and get a flatter, more rectangular shape similar to the current Volkswagen Golf. These new taillights not only sport a new design, but are also lit by LED bulbs with a fiber optic technology system. As much as the taillights help freshen up the rear styling of the 2012 VW Eos, the new rear fascia will definitely help it stand out more thanks to a flatter shape and a blacked-out center diffuser. The only other changes being made to the exterior of the Eos are slimmer, reshaped door mirrors that feature an integrated LED turn signal indicator.
Inside, the 2012 Eos receives a slightly restyled cabin to mimic the look of the recently introduced Volkswagen Jetta although it isn’t clear if the Eos will also receive the same level of cabin material changes as the Jetta (especially replacing the soft-touch instrument panel with a grained hard plastic material to help reduce the price). Unlike the haphazard placement of the keyless ignition push button on the Jetta, the Eos at least puts the start button where a conventional key would go on the steering column. Speaking of the keyless system, the new Keyless Access system available on the 2012 Eos is now able to open and close the hardtop remotely. Other new options for the 2012 Eos include an updated park assist system and the new Light Assist system, which can automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights based on surrounding traffic.
Although the Eos will be available in Europe with four different engines including the 2.0-liter TDI engine, the U.S.-spec model will be limited to just the 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected engine currently offered in the Eos. This engine does appear to be getting a slight boost in horsepower from an even 200 for 2011 models up to 208 for 2012 according to VW’s International media site, but the automaker has yet to specify what, if any, changes have been made to the engine. The torque still appears to be rated at 206 lb-ft. The available transmission choices will be the standard six-speed manual or the optional six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox.
