Autoblog

While the new Volkswagen Eos may have filled a hole left by the recently discontinued Cabrio, there is likely a market for a smaller drop-top in Volkswagen's lineup. A convertible version of the Polo may appeal to buyers looking at the Peugeot 206 CC or the Opel Tigra TwinTop, so Bild.de commissioned an artist to lop the roof off the Polo GTI, giving us an idea of what to expect.

While Volkswagen hasn't mentioned the possibility of a cabrio Polo, it wouldn't be hard to make a case for it, particularly if if cost was kept down by utilizing a canvas roof instead of a more complex, and expensive, folding hard-top.

Bild.de predicts that the VW Polo GTI Cabriolet could come to market as early as 2009, with a price of around 16,000 to 18,000 euro.

[Source: Bild.de via German Car Blog]

click above image for a full gallery of the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive Concept

Motor Trend is reporting that Mercedes-Benz has approved the four-door convertible Ocean Drive Concept that was introduced at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit for production. The car will reportedly be based on the S600 and arrive as a 2011 model. Being a platform-mate of the S600 means that the Ocean Drive production model will likely sport a 510-horsepower 5.5L V12 and a price tag well into the six-figure range. Of course, Mercedes could slip a myriad of possible engines into the car, from its 5.5L V8 to the 600+ horsepower biturbo V12 from AMG. With structural enhancements necessary to keep the car stiff, a high curb weight is likely that will require a big motor to move the car around.

MT also reports that the A7-based four-door convertible in Audi's product pipeline will arrive around the same time, not earlier in 2009 as some outlets have reported. Though the two will not be direct competitors (the A7 itself will be aimed downmarket at the Merceds CLS and arrive a couple years earlier), they will be the first four-door convertibles in production since the mid-60s Lincoln Continental. Hmmm... which would Drama choose?

[Source: Motor Trend]

Looking for a way to be seen while you drive around in a vehicle that says you have an oversupply of funding coupled with a shortage of sense? Presented for your approval, the obscenely fast Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster. Just like the fixed-roof SLR, the styling cues lifted from 1950's racing glory are present in the scoopage, and the supercharged V8 can crank you right up to 207mph. That's enough to suck the hair plugs right out of your scalp should you attempt that velocity with the top retracted. It is cool to see the uber-exclusive Benz tooling around and ogle the doors that remind us of chopsaws. Funny, though, all that money, and you still get a fabric roof, while the lowly MX-5 can be had with a natty retractable hardtop.

Video after the jump

[Source: MotorAuthority]

We've been reporting on rumors of Mercedes' plan to lop the roof off an S-class and fit it with a ragtop for too long. Finally, it's been confirmed that M-B will be dropping the top of its four-door convertible at the Detroit auto show next month.

Based off the V12-powered S-class, the cabrio version will assuredly come equipped with a cloth roof, along with a pricy premium that would add an additional $10-15k to the sticker of the S600. Considering that a base S600 comes in at just over $140,000 (not including the gas guzzler tax), buyers will certainly appreciate the exclusivity that a cabrio Merc will afford them.

According to sources close to the project, production is highly likely.

[Source: Automotive News -– Sub. Req.]

Amidst a group of somber-looking Germans and a duo of small screen stars, Audi unveiled its next generation TT Roadster. Deciding on a soft-top setup versus the en vogue hard top configuration, Audi maintains that driving dynamics have been enhanced by its lightweight construction. To make sure the center of gravity is optimally distributed, Audi employed the use of steel and aluminum in the top's structure and still allowed a nice amount of rearward visibility with the glass window.

Push a button and the top folds down into a "Z" configuration in a mere 12 seconds. The front portion of the top lies flush into the roof's cavern, so a tonneau cover wouldn't be necessary to maintain the TT's clean lines. Additionally, the top can be folded down at speeds below 30 km/h (18 MPH). As a nod to its elder, Audi decided to utilize the same chrome hoops to protect occupants should the unthinkable occur.

Tons of live and press pics are posted after the jump, along with Audi's full press release.

Rumors have begun to surface that Chrysler may be lopping the roof off of its new Sebring and debuting the results at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show.

The drop top offerings will likely include either a traditional soft top or a trendy folding hardtop, a first for the segment. Chrysler is reportedly working with Karmann GmbH to provide both the hard top system and the cloth top alternative.

Chrysler contends that the availability of both setups will appeal to a broader customer base, specifically cost-averse rental agencies.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Back in June, BMW released all the details about their new M6 convertible, except one – price. Well, the mystery has been solved and those of you who want to own one of the fastest production drop tops in the world can get it at the bargain price of $105,095, including shipping. As a comparison, the carbon fiber, fixed roof model will only set you back $96,795, with shipping and the highfalutin Neiman Marcus Individual M6 will liberate $139,000 from your corporate expense account. However, it deserves note that included in the price of the M6, new owners will also get to partake in a one-day M driver training course at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The cabrio will still come equipped with the highly touted 5-liter V10, seven-speed SMG and all the geek-til-ya-freak gizmos that come standard on the M6. As a matter of fact, the only difference between the 'normal' M6 and its beheaded stepchild, aside from the obvious, is a slight performance penalty due to the added weight of the convertible's mechanisms, which makes the cabrio lap the Nurburgring a few ticks below the coupe's time.

[Source: Inside Line]

With the Dodge Challenger getting the green light for production, it's likely only a matter of time before the Chevy Camaro is also approved for production. Rumor has it GM engineers are in Australia hard at work with their brothers from Holden on the next Camaro.. That said, a convertible version should also be in the works, and this rendering by Brenda Priddy and Co. suggests what a Camaro droptop will look like when it hits the streets sometime around 2009.

[Source: Winding Road]

Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that Mercedes-Benz may be developing a four-door convertible version of its flagship luxury sedan, the S-Class. It will reportedly sport the longest soft top every produced and be powered by an equally large 6.0L V12 engine. We can expect the interior to be trimmed out in even more opulent luxury than a standard S-Class, as well. The S-Class convertible will surface in early 2007 as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

If the rumors of a folding hardtop MX-5 are true, it looks as if Mazda will flip its lid at the British Motor Show in London this July.

Word is that the retractable tin-top will add about $2,700-$3,600 over the conventional version. It is not known what sort of weight penalty the power hardtop will exact on the limber MX-5, or if it will be bundled with other additional equipment.

The British Motor Show has been struggling for some time on the world stage, with many manufacturers pulling their presence over the past few years. But with this show slated to see world debuts of the aforementioned MX-5, the new Vauxhall Corsa, and the Land Rover Freelander successor, its profile could rise dramatically.

[Sources: WhatCar?; Mazda]