Still more LA Auto Show (when will it end?):

One of the cars with the biggest crowds surrounding it was the Volkswagen Eos, which is due to hit the US later in 2006, probably as a 2007 model.

The Eos is a four-seat convertible coupe with what VW calls "CSC design." CSC stands for "coupe-sunroof-convertible." The design is a five section hardtop convertible that curves between the front and rear of the car. At the push of a button, the hard sections slide up and back and disappear into the trunk -- a dance that takes about 25 seconds in total. That's longer than most soft tops, but still achievable at a long traffic light. In addition, the top features an integrated glass sliding/tilting sunroof section which operates independently of the convertible top. Nice touch. There are other hardtop convertibles out there right now -- the Lexus SC 430 and Mercedes CLK -- but they are in the luxury class, and only seat two. Under the hood, you can choose either a 2.0 liter turbo, 200 horsepower, four cylinder or a 3.2 liter, 250 hp version of VW's narrow angle V6.

The Eos will take the place of the late lamented VW Cabriolet as a convertible for adults -- the New Beetle Convertible really doesn't qualify. The Driving Woman blog at Edmunds.com says that pricing is expected to be in the $30,000 range, but I couldn't get anyone at VW to admit to a price yet.