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A long-standing rule in the auto industry is that when you aren’t going to be first in the market with a new feature, you sure as heck better be best when you do offer it.

Volkswagen followed that rule to the letter by bringing out not just a convertible with a retractable hardtop for all-season motoring, but a retractable hardtop with a power sunroof.

How many others offer retractable hardtop with a sunroof? None!

Only the Eos.

Eos is named for the Greek goddess of dawn who, VW says, “Rises up from the depths of the ocean each morning in her chariot to bring daylight to mankind.”

Nice lady. And the 2007 Eos is a nice car that lets you press a button in the center console to open the glass sunroof to let in air or sun or lift a handle in the console to get the roof to retract and hide out in the trunk for fun-in-the-sun driving.

Of course, you can do the same after dusk, but VW never said which goddess is in charge of the night shift.

As for the retractable top, however, you need to use a little bit of caution. To let the metal and glass panels in the trunk, the deck lid extends backward to enlarge the opening before retracting when the stacked roof panels are inside and the lid closes.

That, VW says, means it’s best not to lift the retractable hardtop lever when parked between two vehicles, backed against a light pole or when a grocery cart rests behind.

You need at least 20 inches of space between you or whatever is behind or the sounds coming out of your mouth after the deck lid crumples probably wouldn’t be fit for the ears of a goddess, much less folks nearby laughing at the fool in the dented retractable hardtop convertible.

For $350 you can add Trunk Lid Assistance sensors to the rear bumper so a beep sounds if anything is within 20 inches when you start to retract the top to save you a repair bill and embarrassment. Might be the wisest $350 investment you’ll make, especially because a new lid is bound to cost a lot more.

The compact Eos is a cross between the VW Jetta and Passat, with the length of a Jetta, the width of a Passat, and a platform that blends the two.

Another plus, besides the roof, is a back seat so you can take two friends with, though how long they remain friends after having to squeeze into the back isn’t certain.

The two companions better be very slender goddesses because the room between the back of the front seat and the front of the back seat doesn’t really allow for such incidentals as shins and knees. A power plug for a cell phone is in the back seat, perhaps so those who venture there can call for help.

VW spokesman Clark Campbell reluctantly admits the rear seat is more than a tad small, but insists it’s a big plus nonetheless.

“It’s bigger than the rear seat in a Corvette,” he said.

Give him credit for that one.

But the rear seat does serve a useful purpose: holding the luggage or groceries or whatever stuff and junk you haul with you. Whether the top is up or down, there’s precious little room in the trunk. A briefcase or thin duffel bag will slip under the ledge in the trunk on which the top rests when retracted. Without the back seat, you’d have to send your golf clubs to the course via UPS.

Eos is available in two versions, one powered by a 4-cylinder, the other by a V-6. We drove the 2-liter, 200-horsepower turbocharged 4 that comes standard with a 5-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic. We tested the automatic.

The turbo gives the 4-cylinder a jolt of energy when needed. But, as is typical with a turbo, there’s a little lag between standing on the pedal and the energy boost.

You do get sufficient muscle to keep from inhaling exhaust fumes of those ahead when the 2-liter springs to life, but don’t expect any slap-you-back-in-the-seat response.

The mileage rating is 23 m.p.g. city/31 m.p.g. highway.

Need more power? Try the Eos 3.2 with its 3.2-liter, 250-h.p V-6, more standard equipment and a $36,850 starting price.

Suspension is typically Volkswagen firm, but not so stiff you suffer jolts or tire chatter over tar marks. There is modest lean in tight corners at speed. A sports package is available with sports-tuned suspension and 17-inch sports-tuned radials (16-inch narrow-profile all-season radials are standard) at $3,690 for those desiring more pinpoint handling and sit flat body movement in corners.

Of course, convertibles, especially those with sunroofs, aren’t exactly meant for fast and furious activity as they are to sit back and take in the scenery while cruising.

The sunroof is large. Unlike most, this one opens right at the windshield. It means panoramic sight lines, but also fighting off glare–until VW’s Campbell advised: “Oh, just press your hand on the top of the header and a sunblocker/air deflector wind screen pops up.”

It did. Better late than never.

A nice touch when the top is down is that if you lose control and tip and wheels separate from the pavement, sensors activate roll bars behind the rear seat.

Though the rear seat is barely habitable, the front seats are amply cushioned and offer good side support. If seat bottoms were a bit longer, they would make long-distance travel easier on the thighs. All controls are easy to see and use and a big plus is the blue backlighting for the gauges at night, a color not only easy on the eyes, but that also doesn’t tend to blur like red or orange, especially after long hours on the road.

Other nice touches include easy to see and use fuel filler door and trunk lid opener buttons in the driver’s door; a wide opening, gas-cylinder held hood; and stowage under the center armrest and in a small compartment in the dash.

Base price is $27,990. Standard equipment includes stability control, anti-lock brakes, side-curtain air bag for the front seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen and odor filters, power windows/ driver’s seat/ locks and keyless entry.

In addition to the sport package, you can get a luxury package with leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, AM/FM radio with six-disc CD player and MP3 capability and power passenger seat for $3,490.

A navigation system is available for $1,800, but it doesn’t include a back-up camera.

Volkswagen Eos 2.OT

Price as tested: $29,065

THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 101.5 inches

Length: 173.5 inches

Engine: 2-liter, 200-h.p., turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

CITY 23 m.p.g.

HIGHWAY 31 m.p.g.

THE STICKER

$27,990 Base

$1,075 6-speed automatic transmission

* Add $630 for freight.

PLUSES

Novelty–and pleasure–of a convertible hardtop with a sunroof.

Respectable mileage with respectable energy from the 4, thanks to the turbo boost.

MINUSES

Limited trunk room with top up or down.

Limited back seat room as well.

Turbo lag when you step on the gas.

Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Tuesday and Thursday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays. jmateja@tribune.com