Get Yourself Some Air

Sun Herald

Sunday February 1, 2004

Bob Jennings

This year's fashion will be to go topless in the automotive sense, that is. Bob Jennings reports on the magnificent seven convertibles that are on their way here.

WITH record numbers of cars being sold in Australia, many buyers are striving more and more for individuality. Over the years one of the ways to do this has been to travel in a convertible. A convertible gives the impression the occupant is somehow more liberated, more carefree and more fun-loving than those enclosed in the conventional automotive cocoon. It's a statement about attitude and lifestyle.

Living with a convertible requires much less compromise now than it did years ago: fabric roofs more often than not consist of two or three layers for heat and noise insulation and are electrically or hydraulically operated. And, in an increasing number of instances, the roofs are metal and fold cunningly into the boot.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK was the car that popularised this method of combining a metal roof with convertible bodywork, and the second generation is about to arrive. The idea has been seized upon by others, including French makers Renault and Peugeot.

This year, buyers will have even more drop-tops from which to choose, and here, in the rough order in which they will appear, is a selection of seven of the best.

MG TF

To start the year, MG has built 1600 special editions of its TF model to celebrate its 80th anniversary. Only 30 are available in Australia, in either TF120 or TF160 forms. They all have pearl black metallic paint, a red hood and interior trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded brakes with red calipers, and fog lights. Each car comes with a limited edition certificate, signed by the renowned car stylist and head of MG-Rover design Peter Stevens. Recommended retail prices are TF120, $49,990, and TF160, $52,990.

CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE ROADSTER

The stylish Chrysler Crossfire coupe has just come on to the Australian market, priced at $69,990, and the roadster convertible version of the car is expected in about the third quarter of this year. The Crossfire is based on the Mercedes-Benz SLK, and is powered by a 3.2-litre V6 engine that develops 160kW and drives the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. The roadster will be dearer than the coupe, but just how much dearer has yet to be determined.

PEUGEOT 307CC

A little less bulbous and quirky-looking than the smaller 206CC, the 307CC (it stands for Coupe Cabriolet) was displayed at the Sydney Motor Show last year and will go on sale this month. As is the case with the 206CC, the 307CC has a folding metal roof. It is based on the bigger 307 model, and is a four-seater which will be available in two versions. In 2.0-litre four-cylinder form with power of 100kW, it will cost $49,990, but with the more punchy, 130kW ``Sport" engine it will be $56,990. The roof takes about 25 seconds to raise or lower, and when stowed reduces boot capacity from 350 litres to 204. Both models have driver, front passenger and side air bags.

MAZDA MX-5 SE

Although the factory was beaten to the punch in producing a turbocharged version of the MX-5 sports car by the Australian arm of the organisation (with last year's MX-5 SP), the Japanese-built MX-5 SE, with a turbocharged version of its 1.8-litre engine, is expected to develop about 124kW of power. This is about 26kW less than the Australian-developed car, but nevertheless will give a significant lift in performance. The car will sit on 17-inch wheels and other changes include a more efficient radiator, upgraded clutch, propeller shaft and differential, and harder rubber for the engine and differential mounts. Bilstein shock absorbers are used with 20 per cent stiffer springs, and the car sits 10 millimetres lower than standard. It is expected to cost about $46,000, between $4000 and $5000 more than the standard model, when it goes on sale here in March .

RENAULT MEGANE CC

Renault, which now owns Japanese car maker Nissan, is making a determined effort in the Australian market, and there will be six or seven versions of the mainstream Megane when the product plan is in full swing. The CC (Coupe Cabriolet, the same terminology used by French partner Peugeot) is expected about midyear, but at this stage there's been no indication of pricing. The electro-hydraulic roof is claimed to be one of the fastest operating on the market, taking 22 seconds to open or close and, like the Peugeot, it is a four-seater car. It is claimed to provide the largest amount of luggage space in its class with a volume of 490 litres, which reduces to a more modest volume of 190 litres when the roof is in the boot. We'll probably take the 2.0-litre engine, and in Europe the car comes with anti-skid braking and electronic stability control.

MERCEDES-BENZ SLK

There will be a completely new model in September of the Mercedes-Benz car that started the folding metal roof trend. More attractive, more powerful and roomier than its predecessor, it will come with a choice of three new engines with power from 120kW to 265kW. The range will include the SLK 350, which will have a new 200kW V6 engine with four valves per cylinder. A further development of its roof system transforms the roadster into a coupe in 22 seconds, and all models have head-thorax side bags and adaptive front air bags. Automatic climate control and seven-speed automatic transmission add to the package. And for super-cosseted driving pleasure is a new system called Airscarf, which delivers a flow of warm air ducted through the head restraints to the occupant's head, neck and shoulders. There is an AMG SLK 55 model with a 265kW V8 engine.

MINI CABRIO

In May last year the BMW board confirmed that the Mini Cabrio would go into production, and after its unveiling at the Geneva motor show next month it is expected here by the end of the year. At this stage, only the factory's computer renditions give an indication of its appearance, but it will be a four-seater. It is expected there will be Cabrio versions of most of the models in the Mini range. On this basis, the best guesses are that the Cabrio versions will cost about $10,000 more than the equivalent hardtop Mini. On that basis, work on about $45,000 for the Mini Cooper and about $50,000 for the Cooper S. The Cabrio is said to be one of the first of a series of variations to be built by BMW on the Mini platform.

HOLDEN ASTRA

The most popular convertible in the country is the Holden Astra, of which 2470 were sold last year. It's a full four-seater, and comes with a four-cylinder engine for $45,990. A turbocharged version of the four cylinder costs $49,990.

SAAB 9-3

One of the most popular cars in Saab's range, the latest version went on sale in October last year. Both versions of the model have four-cylinder, turbocharged engines, but the highly equipped, more powerful Aero version costs $17,000 more than the $72,900 Linear model.

ALFA ROMEO SPIDER

A new version of Alfa Romeo's Spider went on sale in September, with updated styling by Pininfarina and two new engines, a s.0-litre four-cylinder or a 3.2-litre V6. This brings the range of engines to three. Prices start at $55,000 and range up to $73,500.

DAIHATSU COPEN

Looking like a baby Audi TT, and with a fashionable, folding metal roof, the Copen went on to the market late last year. It is powered by a 660cc four-cylinder turbo engine which develops 47kW of power. It is priced at $29,990.

NISSAN 350Z

The 3.5-litre V6-powered 350Z roadster convertible arrived in October to supplement the 350Z coupe. Body strengthening ensures rigidity; handling maintains the coupe's high standard. $69,990.