THE original line-up of the VW Eos coupe-cabriolet included a 1.6 petrol with 115bhp that was pretty low on grunt.

This is a hefty car, with all the roof mechanism and extra strengthening in the floorpan so the 2.0-litre petrol or diesel models are a much better choice.

Earlier FSI petrol models had 150 or 197bhp and the latest ones have 208 making them very quick indeed.

Even the 150bhp model covers the 0-62mph sprint in under 10 seconds and the 197 hauls this down to an excellent 7.6 secons.

The most powerful engine is a 3.2-litre V6 with 250bhp which is silky smooth and supremely refined, but not very responsive or economical.

In November 2007 the 1.6 petrol was replaced by the 1.4 TSI from the VW range a turbo with more than enough grunt for the weight.

The diesel option is the excellent 2.0-litre 140bhp TDI used across the Volkswagen range, which gives excellent performance with economy.

With the roof up, it's as cosy as a saloon inside, but in a few seconds, it folds away into the boot to give a lovely wind-in-the-hair driving experience.

:  Volvo C70