One is that, if something breaks, hardtops are often more expensive to buy and fix. Some drivers may not like hardtops because they feel the vehicle loses its “convertible look.” BMW switched for this additional reason.
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BMW made the ideal decision.
Many of us BMW lovers were thrilled when BMW opted to replace the hard-top of the F33 4 Series with a soft-top on this new 4 Series Convertible. The revised soft-top enhances cargo space, lowers the center of gravity, offers the 4 Series a more upscale appearance, and decreases weight. The advantages clearly exceed the drawbacks, and it appears that BMW chose wisely when developing the 4 Series Convertible.
You probably haven’t noticed, but the number of hard-top convertibles on the market has drastically decreased.
Since so few people cared to notice the onslaught of retractable hard-top convertibles that occurred over the past two decades, I also don’t believe anyone will be outraged about it.
The retractable hard-top idea has long been doomed, but the most recent video from the Big Car YouTube channel made me realize that the hard-demise top’s is currently in its terminal stages:
The Lexus IS, Chrysler 200 and Sebring, Infiniti Q60, Cadillac XLR, Volkswagen Eos, Volvo C70, and even the Pontiac G6 have all had hard-top variations throughout the past 20 years. Retractable hard tops were being added by automakers to some of their craziest production models in the early 2000s, including the controversial Chevy SSR and the fatally flawed Fisker Karma S Sunset Edition. The Big Car exhibits more of the European retractables that came and went, which are not even included in this.
Making a car’s metal panels move and vanish was, as Big Car points out, a really stylish and avant-garde concept for the industry in the 1990s, when the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster popularized the idea. It’s simple to point out the added weight and complexity compared to a soft cloth roof solution, though.
When Mercedes revealed some vehicles, particularly coupes, were finally under consideration to be eliminated from its outrageously bloated lineup of over 100 vehicle variant offerings in the U.S. a year ago, it finally understood its bloated lineup of over 100 vehicle variant offerings was a problem. For instance, when we wrote about the alleged issue in September 2019, Mercedes had 19 soft- and hard-top convertibles available for purchase.
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Similar to the most recent BMW Z4 and 4 Series convertibles, other manufacturers have already subtly replaced retractable hard-top versions with new generations that use soft-top mechanics. Most other premium or luxury automakers just gave up on their convertibles altogether, while Lexus canceled its hard-top options and currently only sells the soft-top LC.
The Mazda Miata RF, which is more of a retractable Targa top, is now the only truly affordable retractable hard-top available for purchase in the United States. The current consumer must strive higher, either with one of the many Mercedes-Benz options still on the market or even higher with vehicles like the McLaren 570S Spyder and Ferrari Portofino.
I’m not really trying to start a debate of any kind here. I have no problem writing off retractable hardtops as a passing trend. The three main market pricing points (“Maybe Next Year,” “Maybe One Day,” and “Maybe If I’m Lucky”) are still available, and they had their day and place. However, two things are for certain: the craze is almost over, and it will never be used on a commercial vehicle again.
What Hardtop Convertibles Were Considered The Best When They Were Released in the 2000s?
- The 2006 Chevrolet SSR is two-door, two-seat, and sports a vintage pickup truck look. under $40,000 in price.
- 2009 Lexus SC430: 2 doors and 4 seats. It gets 19 mpg and features a convertible body style. costing about $67,000.
- The two-seat 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Roadster is a dependable vehicle. costing $52,000.
- 2011 BMW Z4 SDrive35i: This 2-seat roadster costs little over $53,000 and is expertly crafted for accuracy and perfection.
- When people think about the traditional convertible, they immediately picture the 2012 BMW M3 Convertible. $69,000 for four seats as a starting point.
- Convertible 2014 BMW 428i 4 Series: This two-door, four-seat vehicle has a hardtop roof that can be fully retracted or raised in 20 seconds. starting at $49,000.
- The 2007 Cadillac XLR is a two-door, two-seat hardtop roadster with timeless Cadillac lines. Base cost is just over $79,000.
- 2007 Lexus SC430: This slender four-seater offers superb performance and good handling. a starting cost of $66,000.
- One of the most reasonably priced hardtop convertibles available is the 2007 Pontiac G6 convertible, which has a price tag of $30,000.
- 2008 Chrysler Sebring Hardtop Convertible. This 4-seat hardtop convertible gets excellent gas mileage. At a cost of $30,000.
- The fun-to-drive 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT is a two-seat roadster that draws attention from onlookers. starting at $26,000.
- 2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: With a basic price of $35,000, this vehicle is ideal for commuting in the city or out in the countryside.
- Fantastic acceleration, a chic interior, and a basic price of $45,000 define the 2010 Lexus IS C350, a 2-door, 4-seat convertible.
- The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible has a powerful V6 engine and a large trunk. This four-seat convertible’s starting price is $34,000.
- Base pricing for the 2013 Mazda MX-5 is $29,000.
- All-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder engine are standard on the 2019 BMW 4 Series Convertible, which starts at $53,000.
- A real sports car without a backseat or glove box, the 2019 Mazda Miata RF offers a sport-tuned suspension to reduce road noise. starting at $33,000.
- With a basic price of $49,000, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300 Roadster is less expensive than other Mercedes models.
Why did Mercedes discontinue producing convertible hardtops?
In order to finance the development of its EQ lineup of zero-emission vehicles, Mercedes must spend money wisely by concentrating on high-volume buyers. Niche models are thus in danger, which is why the SLC, S-Class Coupe, and S-Class Convertible have already been discontinued. In fact, more two-door vehicles are being given the metaphorical axe.
Chief operating officer Markus Schafer acknowledged the company’s roster is just growing too large in an interview with Autocar “Last year, we nearly hit a portfolio of 50 vehicles, and our EQ lineup has additional electric vehicles in the works. There are some restrictions on what we can do in terms of research and development.”
Why did BMW switch to a convertible soft top?
BMW made the ideal decision. The new soft-top enhances cargo space, lowers the center of gravity, makes the 4 Series seem more attractive, and decreases weight.
In 2022, will BMW produce a hardtop convertible?
The BMW M4 open-top adds more power but loses its retractable hard top. This all-wheel drive convertible will be a part of the 2022 BMW M4 lineup and go on sale in the United States this fall. With 503 horsepower, it boasts 59 more than previous Competition versions and will only be offered in Competition trim.
Do BMW’s hard-top convertibles still exist?
There are three main model variations of the 2023 BMW 4 Series Convertible. A 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine is included in the 430i and 430i xDrive versions. A 3.0 liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder with higher power is found in the M440i and M440i xDrive Convertibles. The BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible, which has an inline-6 engine that produces 503 horsepower, is at the top of the performance spectrum.
Has BMW ceased production of the 2 Series convertible?
The 2022 BMW 2 Series coupe is available in two trim levels at launch; the convertible has been withdrawn. M240i xDrive and the 230i
A 2021 BMW hardtop convertible is how much?
- The new 4-series convertible from BMW is notable for the addition of a fabric top that takes the place of the convertible hard top.
- Surprisingly, the new top is 40% lighter and just as simple to operate than the previous hard top.
- The 2021 4-series Convertible will be available for purchase in the United States starting in March 2021 for the rear-wheel-drive models and in July for the xDrive all-wheel drive versions.
The 4-series convertible could appear provocative at first glance. After all, it features the same vertical-kidney design that has sparked controversy on social media since the public debut of the 4-series coupe and the M3/M4 siblings. We believe the new design performs admirably in practice. Purists who object to the front end—and this may be a minority view—might be won over by the fabric top, which, when closed, gracefully arches over the middle part of this stunning convertible for a more regal appearance than its forerunner.
There is no denying the allure of a convertible. A luxury vehicle for special events, an open-top automobile is appealing as a means to travel into the sunset or to your preferred café. It also requires a cloth top. It was an intriguing technology when the retractable hard top first appeared, and it appeared to function on a two-seater like the Mercedes-Benz SLK. However, it resulted in a bulging trunk on many larger convertibles, and the metal pieces continued to take up space for luggage. A cotton top looks prettier and is simpler to package. It makes sense that BMW would go back to it for the forthcoming 4-series convertible, which is obviously closely related to the existing 3-series.
The new cloth top is heavily padded, so if you kept it closed in inclement weather, you might mistake it for a coupe from the inside. The hard top is 40% lighter than the one on the previous generation and can be opened or closed electrically in 18 seconds at a top speed of 31 mph. Additionally, the trunk has expanded by 1.2 cubic feet to a total of 9.0 cubic feet, and the back end looks more svelte than before.
When considering the entire lineup, it is clear that BMW’s 6-series has evolved into the 8-series, which leaves potential for the 4-series to grow. It has a longer wheelbase than its forerunner and has grown to be a bigger automobile all around. There is lots of space inside, not just in the front seats but also in the rear seats, which are now large enough to be comfortable even during lengthy travels. The interior is directly derived from the 3-series.
Although the open-top conversion adds weight and necessitates body strengthening, the 4-series has a lower center of gravity than the 3-series and its steering is designed for agility and responsiveness, so this convertible should equal the exceptional dynamic qualities of the sedan it is built on.
Why did the BMW Z4 return to a soft-top design?
The new BMW Z4 is a gorgeous soft-top convertible, but despite the fact that the hardtop version of the predecessor was also offered, BMW Z4 design chief Calvin Luk has ruled out the option of doing so for the new roadster.
We didn’t need to build up an alternate because, according to Luk, “from the beginning we knew that it was going to be a soft-top largely just because of the performance advantage in terms of the weight.” However, BMW would find it difficult to justify producing a Z4 hardtop in light of the fact that it collaborated with Toyota on the new Supra coupe.
The design director continued by saying that BMW’s engineering division, not the designers, took the choice to only sell the new Z4 with a soft roof. He answered, “More coming from engineering.” “I would anticipate it to be engineering – performance-related,” the speaker said. “I think largely engineering; there may have been some market feedback influence on that.”
For the new-generation roadster, which also uses aluminum panels between the layers of cloth to keep the car looking elegant while the roof is up, the soft-top was adopted to save weight, claims Luk.
The interview also shows that because BMW views the Z4 as a niche product, Luk was granted a great deal of creative leeway when designing it. The unusual Z8 roadster from 2000 to 2003 served as inspiration for the design, which is apparent in the headlamp layout, which employs stacked semi-hexagonal LED headlights as opposed to a horizontal layout like other BMW models. But it took Luk 18 months to convince BMW management to switch from the conventional horizontal slats to a mesh-style twin-kidney grille.
In the US, there are two variations of the Z4: the Z4 sDrive30i, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and the range-topping M40i.