The Eos is named after the Greek goddess of the sun, which should give you an idea of what to expect. It gets a facelift for 2012, which gives the new three-bar grille of Volkswagen. It now features the same as the Golf and Jetta siblings, from which it is derived. However, with his signature power folding hardtop and integrated sunroof, and the 2012 Volkswagen Eos looks sportier than it is.

Gone are the six-speed gearbox and 250 hp VR6 engine as the VW car tweaks to strive for the target market and everyday Irish boulevard cruisers. Since Volkswagen is only convertible for now, inherits a tradition derived from the old Golf Cabriolet, and the owners who made ​​the car as an icon. The only powertrain is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower, coupled to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. It can not set tires on fire, but for around-town driving is adequate enough to 30 mpg on the highway to get.

VW Eos wants to premium four-seater convertibles like the Audi A5, BMW 1-Series sedan, and Volvo C70. Given the small size and relaxed driving manners may find themselves surpassed. But a small, well-equipped convertible perhaps what some sun worshipers looking at the low $ 30,000 range - the Beetle convertible comes out, at least.

Bodystyle: Convertible

Transmission: six-speed auto-clutch manual (DSG)

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

Models: Komfort, Lux, Executive

For 2012 a new model gets introduced with all the trimmings: the Executive model starts at a not-insignificant $39,220. What do you get for so much dough? A premium 600-watt Dynaudio sound system, a sport suspension, power seats, touch-screen navigation, and 18-inch "Kansas" wheels...no, we don't know why they're called that, either.

The VW corporate grille that debuted on the Golf/Jetta duo translates well onto the Eos, minimizing the previous model's chrome schnoz. Like many convertibles, the Eos looks better with the top down, though few convertibles at this price or below can offer the security that comes with a solid metal hardtop. With options, the Eos even includes a panoramic sunroof as part of the folding hardtop, ensuring that the sun always has a presence.

The interior can now be upholstered in red, for that extra attention-grabbing effect. Loaded with the Golf's best features, VW includes aluminum trim and a touch screen standard, with the option of premium audio, navigation, and keyless entry.

Don't expect to win many stoplight drags with this car. With a claimed 7.4-second 0-60 mph time, the Eos is a decent performer, and VW's 2.0-liter turbo and automatic transmission combination is one of the best powertrains available. The Eos boasts a surprisingly solid chassis, which shakes very little over bumps. But don't expect a sports car: The suspension is tuned more for cruising highways than finding fun twisty roads. But even though it's more of a boulevard cruiser than canyon carver, you can still have some fun in the Eos given its trusty Golf underpinnings.

The Eos comes with standard driver and front passenger front, combined side-curtain and side airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, traction control, and electronic stability control. An important and necessary rollover system deploys steel beams behind the seats in case the car's sensors detect that the driver has run out of talent.

22 mpg city/30 mpg highway

Sticker Price: $33,995

Sticker Price: $39,220

Sticker Price: $37,250

A New Beetle was launched to great fanfare in 2011, but not call it the New Beetle. The "new" part of the outgoing name (that everyone forgot in any case) was dropped, along with the flowers and the delicate vase, ovoid styling. Volkswagen says the new Beetle is more masculine than the model it replaces, and with a more aggressive roofline and an adult, body-colored interior, the automaker could even point.

The Beetle still has the appearance, but is now longer, lower and wider than the last model. Now there are three engines to choose from: a base 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 170 horsepower, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200 horsepower, and for 2012, a TDI diesel engine with 140 horsepower and the ability to 40 achieve mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic is standard, but popular Volkswagen's DSG dual-clutch transmission will also be available.

The new Beetle is finally less a styling statement for young-at-heart and females more of a vehicle itself, and the impressive list of options reflects this: a navigation system, Fender Premium eight-speaker surround sound, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity , keyless entry and bi-xenon headlamps are all available. 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the base price of $ 18,995, making Volkswagen a stylish option on the retro Goofball Mini and Fiat.

Bodystyle: coupe

Engines: 2.5-liter inline-5, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, 2.0-liter diesel inline-4

Transmissions: six-speed automatic, six-speed dual-clutch automatic

Almost everything: the New Beetle was only in 2011. Yet there is already a limited-edition model, the Turbo Black, which offers smooth black pearl paint, carbon fiber-look interior, turbo graphics and tough 10-spoke wheels. There will only be produced 600 examples, so if you want one, act quickly.

For anyone who has been for the past 15 years (is it really that long?), The Beetle is instantly recognizable from her old model. The Beetle is still fun, but far less - its graceful shape reminiscent of the original Beetle was more than the last, and with a sticker Heritage package and retro-style one-piece wheels on the non-turbo model, the Beetle is bring back many memories.

The dashboard is the same color paint on the outside, which not only adds visual interest, but also avoid looking cheap. The rest of the interior is solid Volkswagen quality: a mixture of soft-touch plastic that feel screwed tightly together, and a classic design element, the "Beetle bin," is integrated into the top of the passenger-side dashboard. For the first time, the Beetle will get a screen with an integrated navigation system available, and has an eight-speaker audio system standard.

Based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen Golf, the Beetle of the suspension stability promised by potholes. The non-turbo five-cylinder is adequate, but the turbo engine is shared by the GTI and the Beetle pushes along nicely. Volkswagen golf diesel engines should be good for the Beetle as well as they launch later this year.

The Beetle uses a laser-welded very strong body to wrap its inhabitants, and is equipped with side airbags standard for all passengers. Stability control and front airbags are also on every model.

22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, five-cylinder

22 mpg city/30 mpg highway, four-cylinder turbo

29 mpg city/40 mpg highway, TDI diese

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Prices