The Overlooked Affordable Drop-Top Convertible

Over the years, Volkswagen – like every other major manufacturer – has had to optimize and trim its engine lineup to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations. In 2024, it was the turn of the much-loved VR6 engine to get the chop, although for us, the last VR6-powered VW product was the 2023 Atlas SUV.

Turbocharged fours, hybrids, and electric motors are the way forward now, but to many enthusiasts, the off-beat warble of a VR6 engine will be missed for a long time.

That is most likely why values for VR6-powered cars are constantly creeping up. So much so that values for mint examples of the 30-year-old VW Corrado VR6 have now topped $50,000. The good news is that there are still a handful of VR6-powered cars out there that can be had for much less, and the model we found has a drop top that lets you immerse yourself in that intoxicating exhaust note.

The Volkswagen Eos

Named after the Greek goddess of the dawn, no less, the Volkswagen Eos was a four-seater hardtop convertible built between 2006 and 2016. The Eos didn’t replace any earlier model in VW’s range, and arrived as a fresh addition to compete against a wide variety of drop-top rivals from other manufacturers, such as the Volvo C70, BMW 1 and 2 Series Convertible, as well as in-house alternatives like the VW Beetle Convertible and Audi A3 Convertible.

Hardtop Convertible

Its hardtop convertible roof wasn’t unique in the segment; both the Volvo C70 and Peugeot 308 CC had a similar setup, but it was the only one with a built-in power sunroof. The metal folding roof (retractable in 25 seconds) gave the Eos an upmarket air and the ability to cocoon its occupants in coupe-like silence when the weather wasn’t great.

US Debut

The Eos made its debut in the US in 2006 as a 2007 model, and remained on sale until 2016. The engines on offer here included a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.2-liter VR6 motor. A six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission were available for the 2.0-liter models, while the VR6 was fitted with the DSG gearbox only. Every Eos was front-wheel drive.

More Cruiser than Bruiser

The Eos was a decent performer, but the additional structural reinforcement and folding top componentry gave it a heftier curb weight than a comparably sized VW Golf, and it was best at being a relaxed drop-top cruiser, rather than a sporty two-door convertible. Unfortunately, the VR6 motor was only offered for the 2007 and 2008 model year, possibly due to poor sales. There certainly aren’t many around these days. Considering the Eos’ more laid-back approach, most customers probably found the base 2.0-liter powerful enough, and it certainly would have been more economical while cruising around town.

Current Values

That makes the six-cylinder Eos a rather rare bird today, and yet, the ones that do come up for sale are still priced similarly to the more common 2.0-liter models. Viewed in the context of a modern classic, the VR6’s charms certainly make it the more desirable of the two.

2011 to 2016 model year 2.0-liter models with under 60,000 miles sell for between $12,000 and $17,000. Considering the solid build quality (and still contemporary looks) that is good value. The VR6 models – sold only for 2007 and 2008 – are far harder to find. A 2007 model with 72,000 miles on the clock sold for $7,777 on Cars and Bids in December 2024. Another more recent listing for a 2008 model with 91,725 miles was priced at $12,500. That is a lot of car for the money, and a very affordable way to get behind the wheel of a VR6-powered VW. It also suggests that prices may finally be on the rise for this rare VR6 variant.

Other VR6 Options

What Made The VR Engine Special?

The VR range of engines was introduced in 1991 in the nose of the Volkswagen Passat. VR stood for “Verkürzt Reihenmotor,” or shortened inline motor. That’s because the design was an amalgamation of traditional V6 and inline-six designs. The narrow 15-degree V angle allowed for the engine to be fitted into a space that would usually house an inline-four, making it a neat performance upgrade for a variety of transverse-layout front-wheel-drive VW models. This was the main benefit of the narrow-angle V design, although the off-beat exhaust note gave it a unique character that has endeared it to many owners over the years.

The VR design was used in models as varied as the Passat, Corrado, Golf, Jetta, Touareg, and even the Porsche Cayenne. Capacities ranged between 2.5 and 3.6 liters, with a 2.3-liter VR5 five-cylinder variant also being offered for some applications. A 24-valve version was introduced, and several updates were carried out to keep the VR engine competitive until its final demise in 2024.

The VW Corrado VR6

Sold in the US between 1992 and 1995, the VW Corrado was a sporty two-door coupe fitted with a 2.8-liter VR6 powerplant. It was called the SLC here, for Sporty Luxury coupe, and it still looks good today, in a chic 1990s kind of way. Prices for tired high-mileage examples can dip below $6,000, but the average selling price is $18,415, with the very best ones commanding as much as $51,000.

Volkswagen Golf 4 R32

The Golf 4 R32 was the range-topper in its day, thanks to the 238-hp 3.2-liter VR6 engine squeezed under its hood. It was the first mass-produced car to feature a dual-clutch automatic transmission, although the US versions were all six-speed manuals, and we got this little hot hatch only in 2004. This makes them rare and very desirable. Expect to pay an average of $26,586 for one, and well over $50,000 for low-mileage garage queens. One crazy VW-obsessed fan parted with $104,000 for a box-fresh R32 with just 97 miles on its odometer.

Are There Any Eos Equivalents?

The VW T-Roc Convertible

There really is no modern equivalent to the Volkswagen Eos VR6. In these SUV-obsessed days, Europeans now get a small crossover called the T-Roc, which can be had with a drop top. Yes, you can now have your high-riding hatchback with a convertible roof. Thankfully, it isn’t offered here, especially since the most powerful engine on offer is a 148-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder.

The VW Golf Convertible

Going back a few years, the sixth-generation Golf was offered as a convertible between 2011 and 2016, overlapping with the Eos, but all had four-cylinder motors, and the Eos’ fancy hardtop was swapped out for a cloth retractable roof.

The VW Beetle Convertible and Beetle RSi

The second-generation VW Beetle was sold between 2011 and 2019 and was available as a convertible, and could be had with a 168-hp inline-five motor, but no VR6 variant was offered. The New Beetle – which was the model produced between 1997 and 2011 – was also sold with an inline-five, as well as a 2.3-liter VR5 engine, but the most exciting version was the Beetle RSi. This model was limited to just 250 units, and not for the US. It had a 221-hp 3.2-liter VR6 engine, all-wheel-drive, and wild aero appendages, but all were hardtops. It cost the equivalent of $80,000 when new, although average prices currently hover around the $67,000 mark.

A Quirky And Overlooked Modern Classic

The VR6 motor was an innovative anomaly designed to give VW’s transverse-engined models a performance boost when a larger capacity engine was the preferred route to more power. The compact VR6 design worked well in everything from compact hatchbacks to large SUVs, and in the luxurious Eos convertible, it provided effortless power allied with that characteristic off-beat soundtrack.

Prices for most VR6-powered cars are on the rise, but niche models like the Eos still offer an affordable entry into VR6 ownership. The Eos itself was never intended to be a sharp-handling sportster, but it was well-built, luxurious, and delivered just what it promised: a chilled drop-top driving experience. You can still find them for under $10,000; all you need to do is find someone willing to sell theirs.

Sources: Volkswagen, Classic.com