Wednesday 23rd November 2005

Roof gremlins delay ragtops

Trouble with overheads for VW and Vauxhall

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VW Eos: complex roof delays delivery

Sales of convertibles generally fall through the floor as the frosty fingers of winter tighten their grip. But while the protection of today's machines is a far cry from the flimsy canvas contraptions that just about covered 1960s open-tops such as the MG, they're not immune from trouble, as both VW and Vauxhall are, by coincidence, finding out.

Today, folding roofs are all the rage, with even Peugeot convertibles using them, and they can make the convertible experience a relatively painless one -- until they go wrong.

And this is the problem: they're not just heavy, they're so complex that even car makers have trouble with them. VW's Golf-based Eos convertible, available next year has reportedly been delayed by a couple of months due to problems in getting its complex, five-piece roof to work properly.

Meanwhile, although Vauxhall has stuck to a more conventional three-piece mechanism, its convertible Astra has also been delayed for very similar reasons and for a very similar timespan.

Maybe they just shouldn’t try making convertibles in the winter...

[MILF]

If the VW Eos is an accurate rendition of what the next VW droptop looks like, lets hope it stayes delayed, for the next 10 to 15 years.

Last time I saw an arse like that, it belonged to an x of mine !!

[jesprit]

You're right, that's awful.

And why are the shut lines so prominent? It looks like something made by Buffalo Bill.

[W333]

Well if Volvo can make a convertible like the one on Top Gear, then Vauxhall and VW are falling behind. the mechanism on the one offered by Volvo was fantastic.

[annodomini2]

W333 said:

Well if Volvo can make a convertible like the one on Top Gear, then Vauxhall and VW are falling behind. the mechanism on the one offered by Volvo was fantastic.

While its technically pretty, i'd be curious how long it lasts before it needs adjusting or breaks.

[gasman]

Failed during the demonstration at MPH '05

http://350zuk.com/albums/album04/C70.wmv