Retractable Hard-tops: Which Would You Have?

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?

TauronB2G - 12/31/2008 8:57:43 AM

+4 Boost

I am not a big fan of retractable hard tops. I tlike ragtop cars. I am on my 3rd ragtop and I love it. They are almost as safe, seem to be just as quiet and the cars have the same safety features. Where I live I am not concerned about vandalism or anyone cutting my top at all. Styling wise I just like the look of soft top cars, the contrast in color and the lines which tend to be a little sleeker appeal to me.
Plus I want you to know its a convertible not just another coupe with odd proportions.
I would think that the added weight of the hard tops has to be a burden on power and affect handling more than a ragtop.
Thats what I think.
You guys have a great new year!!!
T

AgentOrange - 12/31/2008 5:13:10 PM

+2 Boost

I'm with you.
Not only do ragtops look better than their hardtop counterparts, but you get more trunk space with the softtop - and there's the weight savings as well as lower cost.

HSCenterconsole - 12/31/2008 9:02:02 AM

+3 Boost

I have mixed feelings on the retractable hardtops.

My mother had an '01 SLK320 and she loved the extra security the hardtop had when up. However, with the top down, there was essentially no trunk space. The SLK was replaced with an '05 Z4 3.0. Having spent some time driving that car, I prefer the soft top. It weighs far less, is just as quiet inside, and actually still has a trunk with the top down. I was disappointed the new Z4 has the hardtop. I know this is the future for convertibles, but it does add weight.

My favorite retractable hardtop to watch in action is on the Mercedes SL. It is like mechanical ballet. My least favorite is on the Cadillac XLR. If it has been raining, all the water pours from the trunk lid into the car.

1dott8 - 12/31/2008 9:39:31 AM

+1 Boost

soft top for me. you can keep your retractable hard tops.

mmeecc - 12/31/2008 10:34:16 AM

+3 Boost

Although there is a weight advantage in favor of the soft top, don't forget that the hard top does offer greater rigidity.
Generally, part of the soft tops' weight advantage is offset by the reinforced chassis.

Neverfollow - 12/31/2008 10:58:57 AM

-3 Boost

The only reason retractable hard top convertibles exist in the first place is marketing! The look cool and impress friends and neighbors when your showing off your new car. Beyond that, there is no sound engineering argument for them. They do NOT add to chassis regidity, they are NOT safer in a crash, they are NOT quieter, and do NOT give any additional protection from vehicle theft.

They DO add a lot of weight to the car in a bad area, they DO take up a lot of space, and they ARE overly complicated which will someday cause major headaches and expense once the car comes out of warranty. All those sensors that monitor the position of the top throughout the raising and lowering process in addition to all the additional pumps, servos and relays involved.....geeeeez. Good Luck!

Janizary - 12/31/2008 2:36:42 PM

+2 Boost

Not on the list above, but my wife has a VW EOS 3.2L RHT for her 'fun' car. And it is a 'fun' car. I personally like the hardtop (which includes a huge panoramic moonroof on the EOS) and even with the top down, there is still space for a luggage-bin-sized suitcase and other small stuff for a few days getaway.

That said, the EOS is certainly not a performer (even withthe bigger 3.2L which is no longer available), but it is comfortable, fun, etc. Its certainly not going to win any handling or speed prizes, but that is not its target audience (which my wife probably fits to a tee)

LauderdaleDriver - 12/31/2008 2:42:13 PM

0 Boost

The best feature of my 230SLK was the hardtop. Everyone talks about the compromise on trunk space, but to me, the biggest penalty is actually styling. Most retractable cars look chunky, and have kind of a big butt thing. Only the larger cars like the 500SL and XLR get around this. The EOS, Megane, and other small retractables are cute, but not sexy.

3pointstar - 12/31/2008 2:58:29 PM

+2 Boost

This must be a really slow news day for Autospies, but OK I'll play along.

No Contest on this one, give me Rolls Royce Phanton Drophead Coupe with the teawood decking and those bank vault size doors that close automatically!!!

mmeecc - 12/31/2008 3:11:02 PM

+1 Boost

Neverfollow

Your are dead wrong.

They ARE safer, they ARE quieter, they DO offer more structural rigidity.

And don't give me the whole "show me proof" bull. Just do some simple internet search and you'll find "countless" articles supporting this, WITH PROOF.

Neverfollow - 2/3/2009 12:18:28 PM

+1 Boost

It's funny that you stand behind your argument without supporting it in any way. If you look closely at all retractable hardtops, you will still find all the same roll over protection hardware as in a softop car. Top up or down, they still deploy in a crash situation. If you think some piece of plastic or aluminium, or carbon fiber that's more or less just setting on top of the car held down by 4 latches is going to protect you in a major crash or rollover situation, your dreaming. If you think that a hardtop is going to protect your car from theft any more than a soft top, you must be forgetting the fact that the driver's door window is still made of glass and easily breakable to facilitate ease of entry. Any structual benefit would be minor at best as they can't put any more stress or have any more binding of the top than any softop, otherwise the hinges and movable parts would start to experience significant wear and tear and probably stop working entirely after a short time. Have you ever looked closely at the bending points and hinges on a retro hardtop? They don't look like they could take much stress to me. Your argument is illogical and unsupported.

motor1 - 12/31/2008 7:44:04 PM

+5 Boost

I would take the BMW 3 Series convertible.

Plus, it is a BMW, so there is some good quality engineering there and design, and also the 335i is a great car with a fantastic engine.

Hard tops all the way (For me, that is. I reckon all brands which offer hard tops should also offer a NCO to the soft top as well)

motor1 - 1/1/2009 12:48:59 AM

+1 Boost

Hey, whatever wanker deboosted me I would like to know why you complete tosser.

Kthorn - 1/4/2009 1:56:53 AM

-2 Boost

Motor1, Sorry, you kind of asked for it though.

By the way I totally agree with you, are you a chick by any chance? Just curiuos.

autoenthusiast88 - 1/9/2009 4:10:01 PM

+1 Boost

Generally speaking I prefer soft tops due to the weight advantage, but I have to admit the 2003 on Mercedes SL is gorgeous top up or down. One small consideration not mentioned which I consider significant, is the reliability of the tops operation. I worked for Lexus for 7 years, and we did see some SC430's with top failures. I used to own a CLK430 cab, and never had an issue. This is probably due to simpler components needed to lower and raise the top, and due to weight constraints. I know the SC430 has nine electric or hydrolic motor mechanisms to lower and raise the top. Any thoughts?