2010 CCOTY: Convertibles

[svgallery name="CCOTY_Convertibles_hirez"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc As a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (hey, they have cheap travel insurance), I got invited for two days in late October to drive new 2010 cars over public roads and an airport test track. The goal was to pick a category winner that would eventually vie for the overall 2010 Canadian Car of the Year. Here re my rankings for the first of five different categories I drove this year. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – All four of these two-doors share the ability to convert from closed to open-air motoring at the push of a button. In new car showrooms, however, shoppers will split this quartet of convertibles into two distinct pairings: the 2+2 Audi A5 and Lexus IS, and the two-seat BMW Z4 and Nissan 370Z. Audi A5 Cabriolet Bucking the trend, Audi went “old school’ by eschewing a retractable metal hardtop for its new A5 Cabriolet (as-tested $56,300). At least the powered cloth roof is three-layer thick and sports a glass rear window. Audi says, going the ragtop route gains more space in the trunk than a folding metal roof. Yet the Lexus rival has more room for junk in its trunk. To help its front occupants keep cozy, the A5’s seats are both heated and cooled. There’s also a headrest vent to heat your neck if you want to drive with the top down on cool days. New this year for the base model A5 tin top as well is the Cab’s 211 hp 2.0-litre turbo four-banger. Mated to a mandatory six-speed auto box and all-wheel-drive, it’s marginally more fuel-efficient than the Lexus. However, it’s nearly two seconds slower from 0-100 km/h at 8.5 seconds. While the four-banger is louder and slightly less refined than the IS 350Cs smoother and more powerful (306 hp) vee-six. What slight advantages it has over the Lexus in outright handling prowess, it more than gives back with a harsher ride. Overall, the A5 Cabriolet is a relaxed cruiser for four from behind the wheel. 2+2 CONVERTIBLE WINNER: Lexus IS 350C The IS is the Lexus brand’s BMW 3 Series wannabe. So just as there is a 3 Series retractable hardtop convertible, there is now an IS with a folding metal roof. Less austere than the Audi, the Lexus (as-tested $60,400) offers up the typically rich looking wood and leather interior; all of it surgically stitched together. And with more leg- and hip room than the A5 for all four occupants, the IS 350C offers more space for a couple of your DINK (Double Income No Kids) friends to ride along. Plus whether the IS’s metal roof is up or down, its ventilation and audio systems automatically adjust accordingly. Quiet, composed, and well finished, the IS C is no hot rod Lexus, like its 400 hp IS-F sibling. As with most convertibles, its suspension has a more complaint setup than the rear-wheel-drive IS sedan it’s based on. Buyer’s tip: The equally refined—if not as quick—$52,100 IS 250C sports a 204 hp 2.5-litre V6. BMW Z4 sDrive 35i Although the BMW roadster is available in showrooms with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from the M3 sports sedan, during this year’s competition, the Z4s BMW Canada entered were disqualified for showing up with six-speed manual transmissions, while the other convertibles arrived with slushboxes. Regardless of which transmission works best for you, the second-generation Z4 (as-tested $62,200) has become a more grown up version than the first iteration. A new folding aluminum roof boasts 40 per cent more side-window glass than its predecessor’s cloth top. The rest of the new Z4’s interior is roomier, uses higher quality materials and has more comfort and convenience features, as well. As it is in other BMWs, the Z4’s 300 hp twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-size is smooth throughout its rev range and matches the Nissan in getting from naught to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds. The Z4 corners relatively flat. But it’s more of a long-distance cruiser than the sports car Nissan. Its steering is quick and direct, but doesn’t offer much feedback from the road as the Zed. ROADSTER WINNER: Nissan 370Z Roadster The new-for-2010 370Z Coupe is already one of the best performance buys of the year. And the complementary Roadster follows suit. For thousands less, the Nissan 370Z offers similar performance, a more engaging driving experience, if not the room and refinement of the Z4. It’s cloth-top is nicely lined and quells wind noise well. Compared to the last Zed roadster, you sit higher for a better view to the road. Having said that, when the top is up the car’s wide C-pillars and tall rear-cowl line means rear visibility is poor. Like the Zed coupe, the (as-tested $46,998) convertible is powered by a an aggressive-sounding 332 hp 3.7-litre V6. Accurate and meaty steering, lots of lateral grip and a balanced rear-drive chassis means that the Nissan is much more of a driver’s roadster than the more refined BMW. Nissan Canada sold more rag- than tiptop examples of the last Zed cars. And the updated-for-2010 model should see that trend continue. Also read 2010 CCOTY Small Cars over $21k Also read 2010 CCOTY Luxury Also read Sports & Performance under $50k Also read Sports & Performance over $50k

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