Classy convertibles
Four premium cabrios that aim to o er working-week practicality with weekend wind in the hair. By Anthony rench-Constant
Four big-money soft-tops
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE Won’t you sign in, stranger?
First convertible out of Solihull since the rag-top Defender. Not sure Julian Thomson ever visualised the Evoque as a soft-top; makes you realise how much the styling relies on that sloping roof for its impact.
I’m laughing at the frozen rain
The upshot is a giant tea chest with somewhat distinctive corners. Roof folds away in some 18 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. Fits lush astern too, though scant boot space good for but a istful of Swan Vestas.
In your spangled leather poncho, with your elevator shoes
Interior still a clean, solid-looking, practical proposition. Front seats typical JLR fare: latter to deceive at irst then increasingly wear you down as mileage accrues. Bolt-upright rear seats an imposition on those with legs.
BMW 420D M SPORT CONVERTIBLE Won’t you sign in, stranger?
What used to be a 3-series Convertible is now made more tempting by the addition of a higher digit, a metal roof and, in this case, an wholly undesirable M Sport speciication. Handsome thing, though.
I’m laughing at the frozen rain
Roof folds at up to 11mph, as long as space-sapping luggage cover is in place. If not, engine must be o before boot can be opened, by which time soggy popsy is livid and weekend’s a banger.
In your spangled leather poncho, with your elevator shoes
Cabin old-school analogue with pointlessly wide infotainment screen. But nicely detailed and well wrought attempt to create further distance from Bangle dash horizontalitis. Front seats thin and irm, rear seat backs Eiger north face-precipitous.
MERCEDES BENZ C 220D CABRIOLET Won’t you sign in, stranger?
First ever drophead CClass. As with M Sport, AMG here is just a trim level with lowered suspension and no extra oomph in the engine bay. Grey paint and a red roof do not an ugly rump excuse.
I’m laughing at the frozen rain
Snug, disappears well insulated in 20 seconds roof at up to 30mph. Aircap system raises wind delectors atop windscreen and between rear headrests, making it noisier up front but less breezy astern. Scarftronic salvation for Isadoras.
In your spangled leather poncho, with your elevator shoes
Youth disappears in somewhat less than 20 seconds as you climb aboard; cabin starting to look somewhat Rowley Birkin QC in this company. But seat as comfortable as you’d expect from the maestros of long-haul ergonomics.
AUDI A5 CABRIOLET Won’t you sign in, stranger?
Second-generation drophead is some 40kg lighter and 40 per cent stier than its predecessor. Good looking machine (apart from the vast grille), further enlivened by that curvaceous, full-length beltline crease and a tidy stern.
I’m laughing at the frozen rain
Proven multi-layer roof now boasts acoustic panels to cull road noise. Opens in just 15 seconds at up to 31mph, and you no longer have to hold the switch during folding; one-touch fabric origami R us.
In your spangled leather poncho, with your elevator shoes
As BMW incrementally quashes dashboard horizontality, Audi quietly adopts it. Ho hum. Great driving position, though; extremely comfortable. Rear accommodation on a par with others here, but there’s the bonus of better boot space thanks to clever roof packing.
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE
With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend Good Meridian stereo. But why does Land Rover persist with infotainment systems consistently a whisker behind the curve (still more stab- than touchscreen) yet waste money on ‘conigurable interior mood lighting’? Brut and charisma poured from the shadow where he stood Weighs nigh-on 300kg more than the tin top, making for a two-tonne car; no wonder it feels a tad languid o the line. Lack of rigidity makes for occasional shivers, as if it’s visualising its parents making love. And before my friends ind out I’ll be on the road Less evidence of the sorcery that makes the standard car handle, but still far more grip and poise through corners than it oughta. Remarkably little wind bueting at speed, so gossip may accompany voyeuristic advantages. VERDICT Sitting high with the roof o immensely appealing, but expensive.
BMW 420D M SPORT CONVERTIBLE
With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend BMW is now adopting Audi’s clock-face alphabet for sat-nav programming, just as the latter has moved to the less satisfactory horizontal. Air Collar is a take on Merc’s Scarftronic. Brut and charisma poured from the shadow where he stood Only a rodeo clown would succumb to the inclination to dial up Sport mode to improve a throttle response even more slovenly than the Evoque’s, because standard ride is ridiculous, leaping up and down as relentlessly as a hermit’s ist. And before my friends ind out I’ll be on the road Acceptable poise despite an extra 230kg astern, but all handling inesse buried beneath constant undercarriage over-excitement on a par with Shrek’s donkey. Breezier at speed than Evoque, so optional wind delector essential. VERDICT Potentially ine machine seriously marred by inappropriate speci ication.
MERCEDES BENZ C 220D CABRIOLET With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend
Burmester speaker grille designs are weird, but multimedia system is fast and intuitive. Wonder how long before the tendency for German engineers to copy one another takes over and it’s replaced by something less original.
Brut and charisma poured from the shadow where he stood
More eager to respond to the throttle than BMW or Range Rover. Absurdity of pissing-contest nine-speed transmission only makes sense through prevention of higher engine revs, which become intrusively harsh and noisy.
And before my friends ind out I’ll be on the road
Clearly set up as a boulevardier, yet not as composed as either Evoque or A5. Steering hemlock-numb and squid-rubbery, more body roll and less grip than the others. Too much chop on the boating lake. VERDICT Starting to feel like an old man’s car... Set the controls for Ammonia Lodge.
AUDI A5 CABRIOLET
With a transistor and a large sum of money to spend If it works, ix it... Still not sold on the Virtual Cockpit as an alternative to the analogue Audi did so well, especially since the intuitive nature of the multimedia operation had to take a backward step to facilitate it.
Brut and charisma poured from the shadow where he stood
Feels quicker than either BMW or Evoque, and no need to dial in Sport mode to elicit respectable throttle response. More scuttle action over harsh stu than either of the former, but ride still admirable.
And before my friends ind out I’ll be on the road
Lighter on its toes than the rest, so loats a tad over crests. But changes direction smoothly and incisively, nicely weighted steering and good overall balance. Uniquely in this company, actually rather pleasing to drive on the paddles. VERDICT Windiest with the roof o, but engaging drive makes for the best all-rounder.