Volkswagen’s campaign to move upmarket has been unrelenting. Between the likes of the Phaeton and the CC, the German automaker is not shying away from taking on BMW and Mercedes-Benz, or even its sister-company Audi, for that matter. VW’s new Exclusive line does its part, too, upgrading existing models with some extra lux touches for those interested in a touch of added refinement.

The Touareg – another fine example of the luxurification of the People’s Car – was the most recent to get the Exclusive treatment, and now VW has turned its attention to the newly refreshed Eos. Not only has the hard-top cabrio received a facelift and an engine swap, but now the Exclusive department has upgraded it with two-tone Nappa leather offset by aluminum and piano black trim, a new steering wheel and restyled door sills. The optional sport suspension comes standard on the Exclusive model, and buyers can choose from two 18-inch wheel designs. Pricing in Europe, where the Eos has been rolled out prior to its debut in other markets, starts at €35,275 (around $50,000 based on current exchange rates, not that those figures are comparable).

Words by Noah Joseph