Volkswagen Announces Updated Eos for 2011

Volkswagen has been particularly busy lately, introducing pivotal new models like the United States-market Jetta. It is also hard at work on the NMS.

Changes on its new models in the VW lineup include updating it to reflect the brand's new, more staid, styling language. In the U.S they began with the previous-generation Jetta and have spread to include the Touareg.

The updated Eos gets an early reveal today, well in advance of the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Revolutionary, groundbreaking? No, this is a mild refresh for the Eos. If you've seen the VW brand look you have seen the new Eos pretty much.

The updates are light, with redesigned LED headlight units and the new VW corporate grille taking center stage. Interestingly, it gets less Audi-like and more Audi-like at the same time.

Like Audi, the headlights now have a prominent LED graphic. An Audi-like trait that the previous car (and other VWs) had was a grille that ran together - now front and lower sections of the grille separated. The rear gets similarly mild updates, with VW Phaeton-like taillights now featuring along with a new bumper and diffuser.

Other than VW's new steering wheel design (of which VW's is one of our favorites) there is only minor detail changes They include things like modified HVAC control knobs, new colors and new information display in the instrument cluster.

Saving the best for last is the additional availability of a new engine - the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit from the Golf GTI.

This engine is a nice boost for the Eos and it makes 208 horsepower, propelling the Eos to 60 in 7.8 seconds. The engine can be paired with your choice of a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission. Expect to see the new Eos at the LA Auto Show next month, with the car going on sale in early 2011.