Seduced By EOS; Greek odyssey with VW's goddess of a convertible makes us lust for more.(News)(Product/service evaluation)

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

"Let's see: `?-a-?-e-?-?- ?-?'-nope, that doesn't match the map. We're looking for a town with a `S' and a `p' in the name.''

Yep, as far as we can tell from comparing the indecipherable Greek road signs with our equally inscrutable route book and map, we're as lost as two self-respecting auto writers can be. Everything, as they say, is Greek to us. And the built-in navigation system keeps insisting we drive to the airport.

Oh, Garmin, God of Lost Automotive Journalists, why hast thou forsaken us? May we at least buy a vowel? How about a gyros to go? Anybody seen the Acropolis?

We might be directionally challenged, but all is not lost considering we're wandering the countryside outside Athens, enjoying the smoggy sunshine in our 2007 Volkswagen Eos, a new two-door, four-seat, hardtop convertible.

Built from parts of the Passat and Golf/Jetta, Eos will be available in the United States with a 2.0-liter, 200-hp, 206-lb-ft turbocharged four or an optional 3.2-liter, 250-hp, 236-lb-ft V6. We're driving the silky turbo with the standard six-speed manual; a six-speed Direct Sequential Gearbox is an option with the four and standard on the V6 model.

VW won't actually let you buy an Eos (starting at $28,620) and take it home until this fall, but the automaker hopes a little thing like an impending winter snowstorm won't make buyers put off a purchase decision on a convertible until next spring. Just leave the five-piece top up and think of it as a Scirocco.