Beneath the hood is a peppy 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine which kicks out an impressive 200 hp at 5,100­–6,000 rpm and 207 ft-lb of torque at 1,700–5,000 rpm. So even amid all the pampering the Eos provides, a single stomp on the accelerator will remind you of its German lineage. This is a sports car in topsiders, dinner jacket and tennis-pro tan.

The six-speed automatic transmission offers the more adventurous driver sport mode and paddle-shifting Direkt-schalt-getriebe. Direct translation: direct shift gearbox. Loose? “Houston, we have lift-off,” my friend announced, as we launched past blurred views on a scenic country road. In sport mode, it’s a tighter feeling ride, though the sport suspension was always comfortable, regardless of how much I pushed the Eos. Agile without getting jittery.

Again for the adventurous, you can turn off traction control button, which sits temptingly by the shifter. On dirt roads we still got plenty of grip but also some terrifically enjoyable sway. The Eos holds the road well with a low stance – ground clearance is just 141 mm.

The steering is quite good, as it should be given the price and manufacturer. The steering wheel has a satisfying feel and is sized just right. Tilt and telescopically adjustable, it lets you mould the ideal positioning like a bespoke shirt.

The mirrors offer excellent views. That’s important given the minuteness of the rear window, no doubt a necessary inconvenience for easy storage of the roof.

2014 Volkswagen Eos Highline engine bay, seating. Click image to enlarge

And what a pretty machine it is! Even with the roof up, the Eos is a tastefully attractive car, conservatively reserved until it comes down. The only flashy beacon before that grand opening is the distinctive LED daytime running lights. The body lines are simple and clean with rounded edges. The trunk lid’s edge is so round it’s a challenge to shut from the outside. So there’s an inner grip, which you pull down, as though beginning a chin-up. (Grace Notes: 15, Accountants: love.)

Beyond the soon-to-be-discussed convertible aspects, the Eos’s significant base price includes several luxuries and scores of conveniences:

• The bi-xenon headlights are adaptive: they light where you’re turning towards, not just what’s in front of you.
• The lights’ coming-home function keep things lit after you’ve left the car.
• The auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror saves you from being temporarily blinded by approaching drivers at night.
• Automatic rain sensors begin clearing the windshield as soon the wetness hits.
• HomeLink is the popular and dependable garage door opening technology.
• With minimal intervention necessary, you’re always comfortable amid the ‘Climatronic’ dual-zone electronic climate control.

2014 Volkswagen Eos Highline dashboard, centre stack, . Click image to enlarge

Speaking of climate, the electronic compass may prove useful in a snowstorm, otherwise it constantly provides information you rarely need in regular driving life, complicating things unnecessarily. (Of course lots of cars north of the economy market have compasses. The more money we make, the more we all need constant reassurance our lives are moving in the right direction.) An always-smooth ride grips well on 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. You’ll still want winter tires, especially if you’re going to use the skiing amenities after that snowstorm.

I’m sorry, did he just say skiing amenities?