Times Five

Here are five fuel-efficient convertibles you can enjoy and not feel (too) guilty, writes

Mazda MX-5

The stats: $40,995, 1.5-litre four, 96kW/150Nm, 6.1 litres per 100km.

If we’re talking drop-top cars, the Mazda MX-5 roadster always seems to tick whatever boxes are appropriate. Quite right too: it’s brilliant to drive and brilliantly designed.

The entry-level 1.5-litre model is the enthusiasts’ choice: it’s lighter, more eager and only comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s also the most economical car in this list, although the higher-powered (and more popular) 2.0-litre model is also pretty clean: 6.9l/100km.

Both MX-5 models are due for updates this year, with the key change being more power: a modest 1kW/2Nm increase for the 1.5 and a big 17kW/5Nm leap for the 2.0-litre.

BMW 220i

The stats: $73,350, 2.0-litre turbofour, 135kW/270Nm, 6.2 litres per 100km.

When you think ‘‘BMW convertible’’ you probably think of something large, highly extravagant and super-luxurious.

The 220i is a bit of a hidden gem: a compact, rear-drive machine that’s packed full of technology and remains a truly sporty choice.

Enjoy it while you can, because the next-generation 2-series will be front-drive. Which is not as good no matter what they say.

Anyway, BMW knows a lot about engine efficiency and the 220i gets the benefit.

Abarth 124 Spider

The stats: $52,990, 1.4-litre turbofour, 125kW/250Nm, 6.4 litres per 100km.

The Abarth 124 Spider is kind of the Mazda MX-5’s evil twin. It’s based on the Japanese car and built by Mazda – but adds a gruntier turbo engine and limitedslip rear differential so it can do proper skids. There’s other serious stuff like Brembo brakes and Bilstein suspension as well.

The beauty of the base car’s light weight and the Fiat engine’s muscular torque delivery is that the Abarth still just sips the fuel – as long as you stick to a driving style that ignores most of the above, of course.

A six-speed manual is standard, but if you choose the six-speed automatic you’ll add 0.2l/100km to the fuel consumption.

Mini Cooper S

The stats: $55,570, 2.0-litre turbofour, 141kW/280Nm, 6.5 litres per 100km.

You can’t buy a Mini convertible with the brand’s super-frugal (and huge fun as it happens) threecylinder engine in New Zealand. The drop-top version is only available in go-faster Cooper S guise here. But that still works for us, because it remains a highly economical little thing.

It’s not as much fun to drive as the hatch, but it does have a very clever roof: it can be just a sunroof or drop completely to be a proper convertible. There are options galore; just don’t expect that $56k sticker price to stay put.

Mercedes-Benz C 200

The stats: $91,990, 1.5-litre four, 135kW/280Nm, 6.8 litres per 100km.

The most cruisy and expensive convertible on our list is also arguably the only one that has proper ‘‘green’’ technology on board. The entry-level C-class model matches a small-capacity 1.5-litre petrol with a 48-volt electrical system to create a mild hybrid powertrain.

So the petrol power is assisted a lot by electricity – not just in ultrasmooth stop-and-start functions around town, but also in an ability to shut down the combustion engine and coast at will on the open road.

It’s also an incredibly posh looking and feeling Mercedes-Benz four-seat convertible. Obviously.