Flip Top Heaven

Profile Looks at how we like to get our tops off!

DESPITE the fact that we experience more rainfall than any other European country, we Brits are still in the hot spot when it comes to buying convertibles.
Just a hint of sun has us rushing to get our tops off with almost unseemly haste although catching a few rays is not really the motivation.

Anyone who drives a convertible does so to see and be seen, so the choice of vehicle is all important, particuarly if this is a second car, kept under wraps along with the accompanying designer shades, waiting for the clouds to clear.

New in the showrooms this summer is the delightful BMW 1 Series drop top. Apart from looking good, this four-seater model has been given the company’s efficient dynamics makeover which makes for more economic, less polluting driving with no loss of power. All is achieved through aerodynamic styling plus brake energy regeneration, reduced rolling resistance tyres, a stop/start system, available on some models, and gear change reminder for optimum efficiency.

But, even ignoring the clean, green techie aspects, this is a dream car to drive. It sits on the road rock solid, remaining unruffled and composed even when pushed through sweeping bends at speed. Power delivery from the 3.0 litre petrol engine in the 125i tested was smoothly delivered and well-matched to the excellent six-speed gear box.

It takes just 20 seconds to drop that all-important electro-hydraulic roof which operates at speeds of up to 30mph. If you are looking for a vehicle in which to soak up the summer sun or ride out your mid-life crisis look no further - this is it.

Prices for the range start at £22,335 and that includes 16-inch alloys, six airbags, run flat tyres, and all the stability and braking aids as well as the fun of driving with your top off.

Also new this summer is the Audi A3 cabriolet, developed from the highly successful three-door model. The A3 has been the single most successful car ever launched by Audi into the UK market, now selling at the rate of 30,000 a year and while the convertible has a different roof and stiffer frame, the technologies remain the same. It includes, for example, the electro-mechanical power steering, DVD sat nav, and Audi’s S-Tronic dual clutch transmission.

The basic model comes in at around £20,000 but few owners will walk away with more than a few pence change from £30,000 once the sports suspension, wind deflector and leather interior have been added.

Unlike some of its rivals, Audi has opted for the fabric roof rather then steel. This is not an attempt to save money on the manufacturing costs apparently, but more because even with the roof up it still look like a convertible and that is what convertible owners want. Never having actually owned a convertible of any sort, I’ll go along with this reasoning, especially as Audi is adamant that the ‘thermal and acoustic properties of the fabric roof are just as good as the alternative’. Put to the test this proved to be quite true and the big, big advantage of the lightweight z-folding roof is that it opens in nine seconds and closes in 11.

Audi has a very precise target audience for this car - affluent, well-educated, less than 40 years old - but don’t let that put you off. This is a fun car to drive - whoever you are.