The engineers at Mercedes-Benz are working tirelessly to get the all-new E-Class cabrio ready for its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. So much so that they appear to be bringing dates along for a ride in the chop-topped mules.

These newest shots of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible are the first we've seen with the cloth top stowed away, and they reveal an interesting detail: a retractable wind deflector mounted on the top of the windshield.

Like Audi, Mercedes has opted to forgo the folding hard-top treatment for the new E, allowing the automaker to retain the coupe's hard-edged style and keep the curb weight in check. When the E-Class Convertible arrives in dealerships early next year, expect a range of six- and eight-cylinder powerplants, including the range-topping E500.

Audi is testing its forthcoming R8 Spyder, and the car is wearing what appears to be a completely stowable roof, not the targa-style top that has been suggested as a possibility. Yet disappearing along with the roof could also be your view of the engine. The droptop in the spy photos and in Audi's official sketch features a solid engine cover and two curious structures adorned with gills that run up to the rear window. They could line up with an interior element when the roof is down, but it would have to be mighty cool to be worth missing out on that engine. Audi's 552 horsepower competitor for cars like the Vantage V12 and Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio will bow at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show.

[Source: Fastest Car]

Ratan Tata, Jaguar's owner, knows that the future of the company rests on "shiny and new" products. That's why the XE roadster was reportedly moved to the front of the line and given a 2011 release date. If the soothsayers at Motor Trend are correct, Tata also understands that cleaner engines are the future of the industry itself, because the XE could also bolster Jaguar's credentials by reportedly including the option of a Volt-like range-extending hybrid drivetrain.

The mooted gas-electric system is a conventional three-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. It is also being suggested by MT that the concept XE may be fitted with that powerplant, but it might not make it to the production version.

If it does come to market, however, the car probably won't have any natural competition at its price point given its green credentials, with the possible exception of the Fisker Karma S. Even if the extended-range hybrid rumor fails to materialize, the coupe is likely to get variants of the company's new 5.0-liter V8 engine range, which presently offers up to 510-horsepower in supercharged form...

[Source: Motor Trend]

The very first Chevrolet Corvette built way back in 1953 was Polo White with a red interior and a black top. It was practically made by hand, cost $3,498 plus tax and shipping, and the only options were an AM radio and a heater. Fifty six years later, the 1.5 millionth Corvette is white with a red interior and black top. But this one was made in a dedicated assembly plant, would cost you more than $60,000 -- if you could buy it -- and is equipped with the option laden 3LT package.

It's good news for tumultuous times at the Bowtie. A note of trivia: it took 17 years to get from one million to 1.5 million cars, but only 15 years to get from 500,000 to one million (1977 - 1992). Viva la Eighties and the C4. And Viva Chevy... congratulations, guys.

In related news, Chevy also confirmed what we already knew, which is that the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport will start at $55,720 for the coupe and $59,530 for the convertible. Both prices include a $950 destination charge. The official press release is posted after the jump.



[Source: GM]

The history of the Audi A1 is a great deal of talk and renderings capped by one confirmed sighting. We've seen the A1 Sportback and been told that an A1 Cabrio is coming, after which we were told that the A1 wouldn't be coming to the U.S. Now everyone is in on the game, with forum user The Pretender at RS6.com posting one idea of what a targa version of the A1 could be -- even though it seems much more in line with what an Audi version of the VW Bluesport could be.

Of course, if the A1 isn't coming to America, an A1 targa – a dedicated two-seater, mind you – would have to make a strong price case for itself against an A1 Cabrio, A3 Cabrio, a possible Bluesport Audi, bog standard versions of the TT, plus cross-country competition from the Mini convertible and BMW 1-Series (both four-seaters). But if we ignore all of that and simply consider the rendering above, the questions are: Do we need it and would it tempt you?

[Source: RS6.com]

With every passing year, there seems to be more convertibles on the market. But if you live in a sunny clime like California's, enough sunshine is never enough. That's where convertible chop-shops like Newport Convertible Engineering step in. The folks at NCE will take just about any automobile and turn it into a custom cabrio to a buyer's specifications. The company's portfolio includes recent conversions of a Dodge Challenger, Toyota Prius, Cadillac CTS, Hummer H2, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and this Mercedes-Benz CL AMG. Unfortunately, from the photos seen here, the soft top doesn't seem to collapse quite flush with the rear deck, leaving something to be desired in terms of aesthetics – to say nothing of rearward visibility. Here's hoping there's a snug-fitting cover lurking in whatever trunkspace remains.



[Source: NCE via CarScoop]

UPDATE: Mercedes wrote us to say that the report of E wagon and cabrio delays is inaccurate, and "the cars are on schedule as planned."



There's a financial swine flu making its way through the car industry. Chrysler caught it and it proved terminal. Porsche was on intensive care for a moment but should recover. And now Mercedes, it turns out, has a runny nose and a little cough. The home of the three-pointed-star is delaying the introduction of the E-Class convertible and wagon in order to save money on development and marketing.

The E-Class convertible was due to be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, but a report states we won't see the car unveiled until the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. In addition to the cash savings, it will also let Mercedes reveal the car much closer to convertible buying season. The E-Class wagon, described as a shooting brake and more design-driven wagon, won't bow until 2012.

The moves will allow Mercedes to stash money from E-Class sedan and coupe sales. It also lets Mercedes focus 2010 on the new CLS, its plans for the V6 Bluetec hybrid and, according to Auto Motor und Sport, a four-cylinder diesel replacement for the S-Class.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport (translated)]

To kick off the launch of the 308 CC, French carmaker Peugeot has enlisted the musical services of the high-heeled female string quartet Bond. Peugeot touts the car as "the only convertible in its class that is adaptable to every season" because of its Airwave Neck Heating System, à la Mercedes-Benz's Air Scarf on the SL Series.

To complement this notion, Bond's services have been retained to record its take on the four concertos that make up Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Think Vivaldi-meets-Ibiza, and you're pretty close. Bond will be begin to leg out a British tour with the car next month, so for now you can read the full press release and watch the video after the jump. Or you can download all of the tracks – after handing over some information and signing up for a newsletter – at www.opentoallseasons.co.uk.



[Source: Peugeot]

The old adage goes, "A fool and his money are soon parted." Never has that more been the case than yesterday in Germany when a 23-year-old man test drove an Audi A3 Cabriolet he was about to buy. Described as "not an experienced convertible driver," the man put an open envelope full of €23,000 in cash (that's about $31,400 USD) on the back seat before he lowered the top and set out on a final test drive.

The cash was going to be used to purchase the car when he returned from his test drive, but once he reached high enough speeds on the A2 motorway, well, you can guess what happened next. The inexperienced convertible driver called police from the German state of Lower Saxony as pennies Euros from heaven began to rain down on the motorway.

The police closed the road in both directions for a half hour and the fool in question did reportedly recover €20,000 ($27,300), but no one knows if he actually wound up purchasing the vehicle. May we suggest something with a roof next time, sir?



[Source: Thelocal.de]

Last August, InsideLine reported Nissan was working on a convertible variant of the Murano crossover and today, it's released a follow-up, claiming the soft-top SUV will make it to market sometime before next summer and will lose a set of doors (ala Chrysler's PT Cruiser convertible) in the process. This is either the most inane move by Nissan in recent memory or one of the lamest hoaxes ever to spring forth from the interwebs.

According to IL, the 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, come equipped with a retractable soft-top and will be packing the same 265-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and CVT to send power to either the front wheels or all four.

If it happens, it could look like this rendering from IL. With all the products being killed in 2010, this one makes the cut? The mind reels.

[Source: InsideLine]