Open top motoring is becoming ever more popular in Britain, despite our recent weather. If you are considering an open top this year, then to whet your appetite here are a few new ones that will soon be on the market.
The Jaguar F Type first appeared in the Paris Motor Show in 2012, and three models will appear in the showrooms during 2013. These include an extremely impressive V8 S model with a 5.0 litre V8 supercharged engine which develops 488 bhp. For the more modest, there is also a V6 version which delivers 335 bhp. The car’s style brings to mind the wonderful E Type. Some exciting features include a pop-up rear spoiler and iconic twin exhausts which prepare one for the car’s outstanding performance setting it alongside some of the high end Porsches. With the top of the range model costing nearly £80,000 this is not a car for everyone.
A lower cost option is the BMW Z4. BMW will be launching a new model of its Z4 this year with prices starting at just £30,000. This is an upgrade on the previous roadster launched in 2009 which was the first to feature a foldable metal roof rather than a cloth top. The Z4 first appeared in 2003 and was BMW’s answer to the Porsche Boxster, though it is a very different kind of car in terms of handling. While the Boxster is an easy car to drive, the early Z4s, though they had huge amounts of grip, extremely responsive steering and no detectable body roll even in fast tight corners, are a little difficult to handle on rough road surfaces. The 2009 upgrade, as well as adding a foldable metal roof, received a suspension redesign which made it far more accommodating and generally more Boxster like in its handling. The 2013 upgrade offers a number of improvements including the option of a 156 bhp 2 litre turbocharged engine.
One of the most beautiful roadsters of 2013 will be the Alfa Romeo 4C. The car which is manufactured using carbon fibre, aluminium and plastic should appear in the showrooms around October or November. Rather than a full open roof, there is an electric folding fabric central section which can be opened at speeds as high as 75 mph. As you would expect from Alfa, this new sports car, the entry model of which is priced around £40,000, looks simply stunning.
If you are thinking of buying a new or a used open top this year, then now, in the middle of winter, is the best time to buy one. As the days lengthen and the temperatures hopefully begin to rise, there is always a noticeable increase in the price of used open tops. This is also a great time for some new car bargains and one cabriolet that shortly will appear in the showrooms is the eagerly anticipated Vauxhall Cascada. Although it won’t be available until the spring, many dealers are accepting pre-orders, so it is worth checking out.
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This is a guest post by Claire Chat a Londoner who is highly interested in cars and technology. If you want Claire to write you specific content, you can find email her here or contact her on Twitter (Claire_Chat).
