There was a time when open-top cars were real dream cars for everyone - available in all classes and thus accessible to almost every budget. Today, SUVs may arouse similar desires in the masses, driving openly is no longer the trend. Convertible registrations have been declining for years. While the share of new registrations without a fixed roof was 2008 percent in 4,25, the number has almost halved to this day: from January to November, the share was only 2,46 percent, 73.000 of the 2,96 million new cars were convertibles.
The automakers have long adapted the offer to the falling demand. But mainly in the lower and middle price segment. If fresh air pleasure is more expensive, there will be a whole host of new convertibles to choose from next year.
The most unusual sight is probably the convertible version of the Range Rover Evoque. The open SUV will be available as a four-seater with a fabric roof in April at prices starting at 51.200 euros. The Chevrolet Camaro pulls up in a completely different but similarly striking manner on May: The muscle car is motorized with at least 201 kW / 279 hp from four cylinders; the price should be around 45.000 euros. Above all, something has changed under the sheet metal on the Porsche 911 Targa 4, which from March will receive the stronger and more economical turbo boxer engines introduced with the 117.073 facelift at prices of at least 911 euros. The Boxster facelift follows two months later.
Mercedes is launching four topless models either new or in a revised form: the open S-Class is supposed to be the most comfortable convertible in the world, Mercedes formulates the claim of the luxurious four-seater. The prices are likely to be significantly higher than those of the (with V8) at least € 122.700 S-Class Coupé. Also in spring, the facelift of the SL comes on the market, the prices of which should continue to start below 100.000 euros. Two premieres are yet to come in the coming year: In January, the Stuttgart-based company will present the lifted Roadster SLC (formerly SLK), in March the Cabriolet of the C-Class will make its debut, and its market launch is in the summer.
Since the S-Class Cabriolet has rarely been seen on German roads, the new Rolls-Royce Dawn will surpass it in terms of exclusivity in the coming year. The noble convertible is the open alternative to the Wraith and comes with a 6,6-liter V12 with 419 kW / 570 hp, at least around 330.000 euros are due for the luxury sled, which will be available from spring.
The three new super sports car convertibles also play in the automotive top league: Lamborghini opens the roof of the Huracan, the sports car with 5,2-liter V10 and 449 kW / 610 hp will be available as a type from spring for a good 200.000 euros. McLaren launched an open version of its lightweight super sports car 675 LT in the summer. The Spider is limited to 500 pieces and costs at least 340.700 euros. In June the R8 Spyder, the open version of the recently renewed sports car, is to get its airy appearance.
If you get dizzy with such high prices, 2016 also has a few cheaper new items on offer: The newly launched Mini Convertible, for example, is available from 23.950 euros, then with the 100 kW / 136 hp three-cylinder petrol engine. In June, the Fiat 124 Spider goes on sale, which was developed together with Mazda on an MX-5 basis and is produced in Japan. At the end of the year, Mazda is also to provide a version with an electric hardtop to its already available MX-5. Both roadsters should start from around 25.000 euros. The announced Abarth version of the Italian is above it.