Frankfurt Motor Show 2005 - Volkswagen

What's the star of the stand?
It feels like ages since the concept version of VW's new Golf-based convertible was unveiled, but the production model is finally here.

Called the Eos, the drop-top goes on sale in the UK next May and is one of a string of new convertibles with folding metal roofs.

With an estimated starting price of around £20,000, the Eos should fall between the Vauxhall Astra TwinTop and Volvo C70 convertibles, both of which also make their first public appearances at the show.

Like the Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet, the Volkswagen has a glass roof. This retracts backwards in five stages. At the first stage, the roof is like a sunroof, and at the fifth stage the contraption folds itself into the boot. The whole process takes around 25 seconds.

Five engine options are available. Entry-level 1.6-litre engines offer a measly 114bhp but the top-of-the-range 3.2 V6 has almost twice as much power at 247bhp.

They say
'The name Eos refers to the Greek goddess of the dawn. She rose with her chariot from the depths of the sea to bring the people daylight every morning. Eos is also the mother of the wind and of the evening and morning star.'

Dawn, wind, stars – this all fits in perfectly with driving a fascinating cabriolet.

We say
Dawn, wind and stars? Money, money, money more like. Convertible sales are booming, especially in the UK, so it comes as no surprise that VW is hoping to cash in. There's plenty of cachet behind the brand, so VW could cash in.

Anything else?
How about a 247bhp four-wheel-drive Golf R32? Opt for a direct-shift automatic version and you'll get the fastest-ever Golf with a 0-62mph sprint time of 6.2sec. Expect to pay around £23,000 for the car, which arrives at the end of this year

Any gossip?
Originally Volkswagen wanted to show off its Golf-based off-roader at Frankfurt, but the car isn't at the show. The project hasn't been canned, research and development has come too far for that, but it's unveiling has been pushed back to next year.