Fashionable new niches quickly become so popular that a manufacturer can't do anything but get in on the action. Hence we see Porsche, Renault and Peugeot coming up with SUVs and most of Nissan's range being filled with pseudo-4x4s.
The Peugeot 206 CC democratised the folding metal roofs that had been pioneered by Mercedes on its SL and SLK models, collectively almost killing off the traditional fabric roof in the process. You can see the appeal - there are fewer sacrifices to be made when your convertible functions like a normal car for the 363 days of the year that you leave the roof up.
There are downsides, though - there is a considerable weight penalty to be endured and the compromise needed to fit a folding metal roof stashed away somewhere on the car seldom results in an elegant-looking rear. Neither are they sporty, save for Mercedes' offerings. Hence the Volkswagen Eos is all about posing, a fashionable car for cruising the boulevards.
The Eos's advantage in styling terms is a roof that involves five parts folding away rather than the standard two on much of the competition - with the roof needing much less space the rear end design is less of a compromise than the likes of the Peugeot 308 CC or the Renault Megane CC.
Interior quality is up to Volkswagen's usual standards, feeling plush and luxurious yet with a familiar air to Passat or Golf owners. The Eos is even relatively spacious, with plenty of room for passengers up front and a decent amount in the back. As ever, though, boot space is badly affected by roof-down motoring, a mere 205 litres left once everything has been electronically stashed out of sight.
The Eos is plainly a cruiser and not a driver's car - the ride is spongy and corners are no fun. There is a range of engines available for the car, including a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel, but we think the more powerful of the two 1.4-litre TSI engines suits the car the best.
The Eos looks a little expensive compared to its rivals, but then it looks much better compared to its rivals as well. The VW badge is much more appealing than a Peugeot or Renault one, but a metal roof can't do away with all of the sacrifices you have to make to enjoy the wind in your hair.