THE BEST CONVERTIBLES

Tony Middlehurst runs down six of the top drop-tops

You could argue that wanting a convertible in the UK is not a sensible idea, given our climate. But at least when it’s raining or cold you can have the roof up, and some of these have metal tops anyway. So let’s not be curmudgeons, let’s celebrate the sun and wind in our face and hair, the wind-burn and skin blemishes, the flies and the lorry fumes. Oh, we’re not being curmudgeons? Okay, here are six of the best then.

● Porsche 718 Boxster

Oh don’t go on, yes we’re aware it only has a flat-four instead of the flat-six, and yes you’re right, it doesn’t sound as charismatic. But the 718 Boxster is still a mighty piece of kit, with tons of grunt, impeccable chassis and handling, amazing steering, and a practicality too often missing from this kind of car.

● Audi TT Roadster

It may not quite have the handling and steering involvement of our winner, but the TT Roadster is still a fine driver’s car, for less money. There’s also a wide range of engines, everything from a 178bhp 1.8-litre to the 395bhp engine in the RS. You can even have it with a diesel for heaven’s sake. But bear in mind the moving roof means those small rear seats are gone.

● Mercedes-benz E-class Convertible

This E-class is more of a laid-back cruiser, or at least when compared to the previous pair, and its ability to waft you along at pace is pretty peerless. Of the wide range of engines on offer we’d choose the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine from the E400 for the best combination of power and refinement.

● Mini Convertible

The new model will hopefully take over where the previous model left off, since that one was a thrilling combination of fun, handling and good manners. Often losing the roof means losing some integrity unless you double the weight, but somehow Mini has pulled it off with this Convertible. Just go steady on the options lists or you’ll get a nosebleed.

● BMW 4 Series Convertible

There’s a lot to like here, everything from a folding metal roof for security, to the practicality of two sensible rear seats. It may not look quite as good as its solid-roofed sibling, but it’s still a great drive. The fourcylinder engine range is broad and realistic, but we’d ignore that and go for the 322bhp 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine as it sounds great and adds the sort of pace those looks demand.

● Audi A5 Cabriolet

If you’re after a laser-focused cabriolet with intense driving manners, then look elsewhere. But if you want to waft along at more reasonable speeds in the fresh air – maybe, for example, you’re worried your syrup of figs doesn’t have strong enough glue – then the A5 Cabriolet is perfect. The cabin is full of not just fresh air, but also of high tech, high quality and various other high-type things that we can’t recall right this minute.