If the automotive industry was World War II, right now would be D-Day. Things are about to get interesting, particularly within the niche market that is hard-top convertibles.
Ever since 1990s birth of Mitsubishi’s 3000 GT retractable hard-top and Mercedes-Benz’s SLK roadster, there has been an invasion of hard-top convertibles not seen since the 1957 Ford Skyliner.
Think: nearly every marque has at least one hard-top variant within its line-up. And, in the past two years the number of product roll-outs with this technology has increased dramatically. BMW’s 3-series, Pontiac’s G6, Chrysler’s Sebring, and Volkswagen’s EOS all have joined the hard-top crew.
Now, two more contestants have entered into the battle royale and it is going to get a bit ugly.
Infiniti’s G37 drop-top is the first convertible for the brand since the M30 back in the early 1990s. Yeah, they’re bringing it back and appear to be taking dead aim at BMW’s 3-series convertible, which has always been the G’s rival.
Not wanting to miss out, Lexus has joined the ranks bringing their IS250/350 convertible to the fight. Although early impressions across forums have shown mixed reactions, remember that the IS remains a favorite in its respective price bracket and loyalists will flock to their “L.”
Although not officially announced, the Mercedes-Benz CLK/E-class convertible has been spied with a hard-top as well.
Clearly, this is the new direction for contemporary top down motoring.
Or, is it?
Audi’s newly introduced A5/S5 cabriolet proudly displays its disdain for hard-tops with a soft-top.
According to Audi this was done specifically for “elegant styling, superior interior and storage space, and low weight penalty.”
Certainly, these are admirable characteristics.
Ironically, one of the most expensive convertibles money can buy has yet to change its top to steel. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead maintains a remarkable soft-top with five layers of insulation.
With such a vast array of options, which would you pick and why? Are retractable hard-tops the direction all future convertibles should head?