1.Volkswagen Eos
She was a Greek goddess. Her brother, Helios, was the sun. So that Helios could shine brightly every day, Eos made sure the heavens opened up at dawn. If you lived in ancient Greece and believed in the Titan gods, you'd believed she was the reason each day arrived.
And if you live in today's era (as most of us do, hopefully), you'd believe Eos was a vehicle made by the German automaker, VW.
Bear with me, there is a connection here. While some automakers arbitrarily name their vehicles, or make up words, VW called their four-seater the Eos on purpose. When the car was first introduced in 2005, VW marketed the Eos as being the “dawning of a new era” for VW. And I think on some level they were right, but more than anything, the fact that the Eos is a convertible makes the name oh-so fitting.
Coupled with the huge, panoramic glass sunroof that can also be opened separately, the Eos offers driver and passengers alike the opportunity to open up to the heavens, let the sunshine in, and really take in the day. It is in the Eos that the heavens open up to you, and the sun is let in – just like the dawn in ancient Greece.
Alright, enough with the analogies. What the hell am I going on about? Well, I'm waxing lyrical about the new 2012 Volkswagen Eos which isn't a goddess at all, really. In fact, it's far from it. While the connection is there in the opening of the heavens and all that jazz, that's pretty much where the analogy comes to a screeching halt.
Of course, some may disagree with me (after all, isn't that the nature of our business?), but hear me out: It isn't that the VW Eos is boring – please don't misunderstand me – because it's not. No, the reason it hasn't quite reached goddess status and ultimately blends in so well with every other car on the road is because it's just so nonchalant, so gentle, and so unassuming. This car doesn't try to eat up all the attention; it doesn't try to steal the spotlight (like the goddess Eos who let her brother Helios do all the “shining”), which is rare for a convertible.
Consider most convertibles on the road today; what do you think about their drivers? Come on, be honest. They're looking for attention, being all exposed and in the open like that. Add to that that most convertibles are usually sporty (read: MX-5, Z4, Camaro Convertible, MINI Cooper Cabriolet) and they're just asking for heads to turn.
But not the VW Eos.
Granted, my tester for the week was painted black which didn't help its wallflower status, but even if it had been bright red it wouldn't have made a difference. There's something subtly elegant about the Eos’ design that I absolutely love. It's distinctly Volkswagen from nose to tail with a simple front grille, no-nonsense headlights, simple 17” alloy wheels and a simple body crease down the sides that offers just a hint of sportiness.
2.Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
No model in Chevrolet’s lineup is more famous than the Corvette. It stands as the brand’s performance flagship since its launch in 1953, despite some very potent Camaros produced over the years.
For 2012, the C6-generation Corvette soldiers on with another round of improvements. The seats have been redesigned with improved driver lateral support, there’s a new steering wheel, an optional Bose nine-speaker sound system, new colours and – included on our test car – a Chevrolet Centennial Edition package celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand.
The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Cabriolet may not be the most sophisticated, the most equipped or the most powerful car your $100K can buy, but its raw power and brutal behaviour are welcome to those who like a supercar that doesn’t drive itself using a bunch of CPUs.
Earth-shaking exhaust sounds
A dual-mode performance exhaust costs $1,555; we say take it. When you do, the 6.2L LS3 V8 belts out 436 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, connected to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Hooray for GM: premium fuel is not required.
The optional exhaust makes the Corvette behave audibly at low speeds; you know, for cruising around town while the cops watch you pass by with squinty eyes. Hammer the throttle, and the LS3 unleashes an aural fury that no one would find repulsive. Zero to 100 km/h dashes take just over four seconds.
Compared to the run-of-the-mill Corvette, the Grand Sport models get the Z06’s dry-sump engine lubrication, suspension, bigger brakes with cross-drilled discs, six-piston callipers up front and four-piston pinchers at the rear as well as wider wheels and fenders. Our tester also includes the Magnetic Ride shocks, available on every Corvette. This car can handle and stop on a dime, but amazingly isn’t a bruiser around town.
3.Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé
Opening its doors for the first time last night, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Montreal spared no expenses welcoming an eager public. Freshly made sushi, endless hors d'oeuvres, a spectacularly displayed open bar for any concoction you could dream up -- oh right, and boatload of gorgeous Rolls-Royce vehicles strewn about.
After sufficiently gorging myself on freshly made sushi and fried sweet potato balls dipped in chipotle mayo (oh my God, to die for), I was offered the opportunity to take a spin in the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé.
Really, did they even have to ask? The words were barely out of the PR woman's mouth and I was already handing over my driver's license.
When the paperwork was sufficiently filled out and I'd signed my life away for the $450,000 vehicle I was about to drive, I surveyed my stead. Ghostly silver, with brushed chrome accents and strong, sophisticated lines, it stood waiting. A creamy, sumptuous leather interior beckoned and the Rosewood dash with Brown Oak accents were just breathtaking. Sitting on 21” alloy wheels in a forged star design with middle RR caps that always remain upright no matter the position of the wheel, this beautiful beast of a car almost seemed like too much.
Slipping in behind the wheel of the Drophead Coupé (with the 5-layered, cashmere-lined retractable roof already stored neatly beneath the Rosewood teak decking in the rear), I instantly felt incredibly important. Oh, and you'll note that despite the luxe thickness of the convertible roof (that takes 25 seconds to descend and replace), the trunk space always remains the same at 11.1 cu-ft. Looking down the long nose of the Rolls-Royce and past the flying wings of the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament (that's retractable, by the way; thieves be warned), and suddenly I felt transported.
After exploring the plethora of hidden buttons and knobs to adjust my seat, the steering wheel and to close the suicide doors without having to reach out myself – that's right, at the press of a button the door will gently swing closed for me – I was ready to roll.
For a vehicle equipped with a whopping great 6.75L V12 that produces 453hp and 531 lb-ft of torque coupled with a 6-speed auto transmission, it literally floats down the road. There were times I felt like the engine wasn't even on it was so quiet. Add to that the fact that the suspension adjusts itself every few seconds to accommodate road conditions, and will even change depending on where the rear passenger sits, and you truly do feel like you're riding on the most expensive cloud in the world. It all works together to keep the ride ultra smooth and oh-so spectacular.
For all the power under the hood, I never felt like I wanted to mash my foot into the throttle. Though I could have made a 0-100km jump in just 5.8 seconds despite the Phantom's near 6,000lb weight. I was quite content to cruise in the Drophead Coupé, and it was just as comfortable to take me along for the ride. Even after the usually tempting Sport button was pointed out to me, I had no desire to press it.
Precise handling thanks to the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering; just over 14” of ventilated disk brakes on each wheel; an adjustable ride height (that can raise the car by an inch should you encounter a steep incline or dodgy road surface); power sent solely to the rear wheels; and all the respect you could ever hope to command on the road: I was in pure automotive heaven.
Pulling up to the new dealer to bring the Phantom back was bittersweet. My time behind the wheel of a legendary, prestigious marque had ended, and yet the new dealer reminded me that I'll surely catch glimpses of these regal rides in the coming months all over the city. And that alone brought a smile to my face.
She was a Greek goddess. Her brother, Helios, was the sun. So that Helios could shine brightly every day, Eos made sure the heavens opened up at dawn. If you lived in ancient Greece and believed in the Titan gods, you'd believed she was the reason each day arrived.
And if you live in today's era (as most of us do, hopefully), you'd believe Eos was a vehicle made by the German automaker, VW.
  |
| When the hardtop descends into the trunk, letting the sunlight stream in, you'll be glad to hand over the near $40,000 starting price just to enjoy some time behind the wheel. |
Bear with me, there is a connection here. While some automakers arbitrarily name their vehicles, or make up words, VW called their four-seater the Eos on purpose. When the car was first introduced in 2005, VW marketed the Eos as being the “dawning of a new era” for VW. And I think on some level they were right, but more than anything, the fact that the Eos is a convertible makes the name oh-so fitting.
Coupled with the huge, panoramic glass sunroof that can also be opened separately, the Eos offers driver and passengers alike the opportunity to open up to the heavens, let the sunshine in, and really take in the day. It is in the Eos that the heavens open up to you, and the sun is let in – just like the dawn in ancient Greece.
Alright, enough with the analogies. What the hell am I going on about? Well, I'm waxing lyrical about the new 2012 Volkswagen Eos which isn't a goddess at all, really. In fact, it's far from it. While the connection is there in the opening of the heavens and all that jazz, that's pretty much where the analogy comes to a screeching halt.
Of course, some may disagree with me (after all, isn't that the nature of our business?), but hear me out: It isn't that the VW Eos is boring – please don't misunderstand me – because it's not. No, the reason it hasn't quite reached goddess status and ultimately blends in so well with every other car on the road is because it's just so nonchalant, so gentle, and so unassuming. This car doesn't try to eat up all the attention; it doesn't try to steal the spotlight (like the goddess Eos who let her brother Helios do all the “shining”), which is rare for a convertible.
Consider most convertibles on the road today; what do you think about their drivers? Come on, be honest. They're looking for attention, being all exposed and in the open like that. Add to that that most convertibles are usually sporty (read: MX-5, Z4, Camaro Convertible, MINI Cooper Cabriolet) and they're just asking for heads to turn.
But not the VW Eos.
Granted, my tester for the week was painted black which didn't help its wallflower status, but even if it had been bright red it wouldn't have made a difference. There's something subtly elegant about the Eos’ design that I absolutely love. It's distinctly Volkswagen from nose to tail with a simple front grille, no-nonsense headlights, simple 17” alloy wheels and a simple body crease down the sides that offers just a hint of sportiness.
2.Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
No model in Chevrolet’s lineup is more famous than the Corvette. It stands as the brand’s performance flagship since its launch in 1953, despite some very potent Camaros produced over the years.
For 2012, the C6-generation Corvette soldiers on with another round of improvements. The seats have been redesigned with improved driver lateral support, there’s a new steering wheel, an optional Bose nine-speaker sound system, new colours and – included on our test car – a Chevrolet Centennial Edition package celebrating the 100th anniversary of the brand.
 |
| A Chevrolet Centennial Edition package is available for the 2012 Corvette. |
The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Cabriolet may not be the most sophisticated, the most equipped or the most powerful car your $100K can buy, but its raw power and brutal behaviour are welcome to those who like a supercar that doesn’t drive itself using a bunch of CPUs.
Earth-shaking exhaust sounds
A dual-mode performance exhaust costs $1,555; we say take it. When you do, the 6.2L LS3 V8 belts out 436 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, connected to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Hooray for GM: premium fuel is not required.
The optional exhaust makes the Corvette behave audibly at low speeds; you know, for cruising around town while the cops watch you pass by with squinty eyes. Hammer the throttle, and the LS3 unleashes an aural fury that no one would find repulsive. Zero to 100 km/h dashes take just over four seconds.
Compared to the run-of-the-mill Corvette, the Grand Sport models get the Z06’s dry-sump engine lubrication, suspension, bigger brakes with cross-drilled discs, six-piston callipers up front and four-piston pinchers at the rear as well as wider wheels and fenders. Our tester also includes the Magnetic Ride shocks, available on every Corvette. This car can handle and stop on a dime, but amazingly isn’t a bruiser around town.
3.Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé
Opening its doors for the first time last night, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Montreal spared no expenses welcoming an eager public. Freshly made sushi, endless hors d'oeuvres, a spectacularly displayed open bar for any concoction you could dream up -- oh right, and boatload of gorgeous Rolls-Royce vehicles strewn about.
 |
| Precise handling thanks to the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering; an adjustable ride height; power sent solely to the rear wheels: I was in pure automotive heaven. |
After sufficiently gorging myself on freshly made sushi and fried sweet potato balls dipped in chipotle mayo (oh my God, to die for), I was offered the opportunity to take a spin in the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé.
Really, did they even have to ask? The words were barely out of the PR woman's mouth and I was already handing over my driver's license.
When the paperwork was sufficiently filled out and I'd signed my life away for the $450,000 vehicle I was about to drive, I surveyed my stead. Ghostly silver, with brushed chrome accents and strong, sophisticated lines, it stood waiting. A creamy, sumptuous leather interior beckoned and the Rosewood dash with Brown Oak accents were just breathtaking. Sitting on 21” alloy wheels in a forged star design with middle RR caps that always remain upright no matter the position of the wheel, this beautiful beast of a car almost seemed like too much.
Slipping in behind the wheel of the Drophead Coupé (with the 5-layered, cashmere-lined retractable roof already stored neatly beneath the Rosewood teak decking in the rear), I instantly felt incredibly important. Oh, and you'll note that despite the luxe thickness of the convertible roof (that takes 25 seconds to descend and replace), the trunk space always remains the same at 11.1 cu-ft. Looking down the long nose of the Rolls-Royce and past the flying wings of the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament (that's retractable, by the way; thieves be warned), and suddenly I felt transported.
After exploring the plethora of hidden buttons and knobs to adjust my seat, the steering wheel and to close the suicide doors without having to reach out myself – that's right, at the press of a button the door will gently swing closed for me – I was ready to roll.
For a vehicle equipped with a whopping great 6.75L V12 that produces 453hp and 531 lb-ft of torque coupled with a 6-speed auto transmission, it literally floats down the road. There were times I felt like the engine wasn't even on it was so quiet. Add to that the fact that the suspension adjusts itself every few seconds to accommodate road conditions, and will even change depending on where the rear passenger sits, and you truly do feel like you're riding on the most expensive cloud in the world. It all works together to keep the ride ultra smooth and oh-so spectacular.
For all the power under the hood, I never felt like I wanted to mash my foot into the throttle. Though I could have made a 0-100km jump in just 5.8 seconds despite the Phantom's near 6,000lb weight. I was quite content to cruise in the Drophead Coupé, and it was just as comfortable to take me along for the ride. Even after the usually tempting Sport button was pointed out to me, I had no desire to press it.
 |
| The suspension adjusts itself every few seconds to accommodate road conditions, and will even change depending on where the rear passenger sits. |
Precise handling thanks to the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering; just over 14” of ventilated disk brakes on each wheel; an adjustable ride height (that can raise the car by an inch should you encounter a steep incline or dodgy road surface); power sent solely to the rear wheels; and all the respect you could ever hope to command on the road: I was in pure automotive heaven.
Pulling up to the new dealer to bring the Phantom back was bittersweet. My time behind the wheel of a legendary, prestigious marque had ended, and yet the new dealer reminded me that I'll surely catch glimpses of these regal rides in the coming months all over the city. And that alone brought a smile to my face.
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