Top Convertibles 2011
Always pointed as the category cars that gives drivers the most thrilling experience on the road, the convertible rides have walked a long way from the early ragtops with leaky roofs till the nowadays quiet, fast and extremely comfy cabrios.
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
After circulating the most renowned auto shows for four years as a Convertible Concept, the looooong awaited Chevrolet Camaro drop top finally hit the market in February this year. Well, we all can admit that this car definitely worth the waiting. Visually, the 2011 Camaro convertible is nothing but a dream ride – mean exterior styling, muscles, extraordinary driving experience and soft interior touch, plus is available with the same options like the coupe version - engines, RS, SS, etc. Fitted with the 3.6 liter V6 base powerplant, the soft top Camaro achieves 312 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque, but switching on the SS trim, the Chevy beast is ready to produce 426 horsepower with its LS3 V8 engine paired to a 6-speed manual and 400 horsepower with an automatic transmission and the L99 V8 plant.
Audi R8 GT Spyder
Just a year after the grand premiere of the powerful Audi R8 GT, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer announced the 2011 Audi R8 GT Spyder, a strictly limited edition of only 333 open-air rides, which were already sold out before the news for their existence hit the mass media. Ready to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, the R8 GT Spyder relies on the same 5.2 FSI V10 engine like the Gallardo – 560 PS (412 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, its ultra high-end specs include an automated 6-speed R-tronic transmission with two fully automatic modes, launch control program and a curb weight of 1640 kg, which is 85 kg less than the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro. On the outside this machine is more than HOT, even Iron Man knows it!
Maserati GranCabrio Sport
This staggering looking ride represents Maserati's most muscular model in the GranCabrio range. Its debut was celebrated at this year's Geneva Motor Show, revealing upgraded specs in all aspects, including a tweaked version of the 4.7-litre V8 engine, which now produces 450 horsepower and 510 Nm of maximum torque, a 10 horsepower and 20 Nm bump versus the last year's pure GranCabrio. Including also a revised, faster ZF six-speed automatic transmission and Skyhook active-suspension system, the 2011 Maserati GranCabrio Sport is a true sense pleaser, showcasing the unmistakable Italian style of mixing extraordinary vision with matching sound and performance. Despite its starting price of 167,000 $, this Cabrio is already a hit at the UK market.
Ferrari 458 Spider
Premiered at the very well known Frankfurt Motor Show, which took place earlier this year, Ferrari 458 Spider is the world's first hard-top convertible, mid-engined sports car. The pure-blooded sports beast features a two-piece aluminum retractable roof which can be retracted for 14 seconds, and a new engine cover redesigned in order to cope with the new roof system, which unfortunately is not transparent. As a true Ferrari convertible, the all-new 458 Spider is ready to fully satisfy even the most fastidious customers with its ability to mix the ultimate physical feeling that the open air driving can give you and the opportunity to have a perfectly normal conversation without raising your voice at all. On the performance side, the cabrio benefits from the same plant found in the 458 Italia, the naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5-liter V8 powerplant capable of producing the astonishing 562 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 540 Nm at 6,000 revolutions.
Bentley Continental GTC convertible
Presented for the first time in front of crowd at the same motor fair where the Ferrari 458 Spider made its debut - Frankfurt Motor Show 2011, the new, second-generation of Bentley's iconic Continental GTC convertible is now here. Despite its astronomical price tag - 212,800 $, this soft-top luxury car is an exclusive masterpiece. It builds on the highly successful foundation of its predecessor, which was showcased in 2006, and of course has a lot in common with the Bentley Continental GT coupe launched last year. Fully loaded with premium materials and high-end gadgets, the comfy four-seater convertible is also at the top-of-the-chain in technical specs, boasting a completely new QuickShift gearbox and a powerful 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 plant, which is capable of producing the breath-taking 567 horsepower and 700 Nm of maximum torque.
Source: Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Audi, Chevrolet
