Here in England, summer has seemingly arrived – over a month late that is. For us, it’s been getting quite hot recently and this weather is currently forecast to continue for the time being. This means, with the sun out, it’s prime time for drop-tops to be out and about.
However, you don’t want just any convertible to soak up the sun. In that case, you might as well just cut the roof off of an old Peugeot hatchback and call it a day. No, the ideal modern convertible cruiser is something cool, interesting, sleek, suave and definitely quick.
Here are five cars that best fit that description…
Jaguar F-Type Project 7
On first glance, this may just look like a racier version of the standard drop-top F-Type R and nothing more, but it’s a bit more special than that. The £130,000 limited run tribute to Jaguar’s seven Le Mans wins features a D-Type-style aerodynamic hump behind the driver, as well as 567bhp from its V8. And with the roof down, the sound of those glorious supercharged horses galloping is all the more exhilarating.
Lamborghini Reventón Roadster
What’s cooler than a Lamborghini? A Lamborghini inspired by the F22 Raptor fighter plane. This crazy convertible from back in 2009 features the Murciélago LP640’s 6.5-litre V12. It has 661bhp, a 0-60mph time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 205mph, meaning it possesses the performance to match its ludicrous looks and personality.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
When talking modern super convertibles, it doesn’t come much awesome than this – the SLR McLaren Roaster. It’s got a classically cool long bonnet housing a monstrous supercharged 5.5-litre V8 and, most note-worthy, a starter button on the gear lever so drivers can press it as if they were launching a missile. How cool is that!? Oh, and it’s also got ‘swing-wing’ doors, just to add to the drama and absolute awesomeness.
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
In creating a list of cool cars, it’s almost imperative to include an Aston Martin, right? Either way, the Vanquish Volante is one of the manufacturer’s most beautiful modern convertibles. This 565bhp V12 GT is an arguably perfect example of the sleek, yet muscular and effortlessly good-looking cars Aston produces and a certain secret agent likes to get behind the wheel of.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
With Italian charm, fantastic looks and a beautiful-sounding 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 under the bonnet, the 8C Spider oozes cool – not to mention only 500 were made, each costing £174,000, making them super rare too. Sure, it’s said to have faults, but this arguably adds to its loveable character and the 8C is an Alfa after all. Furthermore, driving with the roof down and having its glorious naturally aspirated V8 singing, any gripes one might have with the car will soon be washed away.
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