Convertible

Definitely in the “don’t try this at home” category is Juha Kankkunen’s new 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) world speed record for driving on ice. Kankkunen drove the world’s fastest soft top, an all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible running on biofuel to capture the record on the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. Kankkunen bettered his own 2007 world ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in the Continental GT at the same location. Not surprisingly, the challenges of driving on a 16.5km track of frozen ocean are many - temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds not to mention the frailties of the 70cm-thick layer of sea ice.  Read More

Nissan will show a new car at the Los Angeles Motor Show later this week, which takes unique attributes from at least three different segments to create a vehicle seemingly purpose built for Southern California. Set to go on sale in early 2011, the Murano CrossCabriolet 2011 is an all-wheel drive crossover convertible which Nissan says has plenty of room for four adults, plus enough space for golf bags and luggage, even with the top down.  Read More

Bentley is fast moving from its luxury car tag to that of a supercar brand with the latest release of its Continental Supersports Convertible – the fastest four-seater convertible on the road. The new Supersports has the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine as the Continental Supersports Coupé introduced in 2009. Bentley says this is the fastest, most potent drop-top the company has ever built - 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100kmh in 4.2 seconds) and a top speed of 202mph (325kmh).  Read More

This week in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz premiered the latest addition to its popular E-Class family - the 2011MY E-Class Cabriolet. The soft-top convertible is the first car to feature Mercedes’ new AIRCAP draught-stop, an air-deflection system that greatly reduces interior wind turbulence for all four passengers, front and back. Mercedes also announced the upcoming release of the much-anticipated SLS AMG. This gull-winged beauty is a stylistic throwback to the classic 1950’s 300SL, but with the technology of today.  Read More

Nothing is more relaxing than the gentle action of a rocking chair, but what is exciting about this one is not just its contemporary look, but that it will convert to a comfortable armchair in about 20 seconds. Perfect for meditating on the veranda just like grandma, or catching a quick snooze in the office.  Read More

Spyker Cars may not have impressed in its F1 venture, but it certainly has made up for it off the track. The exclusive sportscar-maker has kept true to its promise made in March at the Geneva Auto Show by debuting the first prototype of the Spyder version of its second-generation Spyker C8 Aileron. The 300kmh open-top model is scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010.  Read More

Boeing has used EBACE to announce its Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) Convertible is now available to prospective customers with very special needs. The USD50 million plus airplane reconfigures from all-passenger to all-cargo configuration in less than eight hours, making it ideal for Governments, corporations and independently-wealthy citizens who forsee usefulness in being able to quickly repurpose the craft from mobile boardroom to transporting up to 50 VIPs, staff or troops to delivering disaster-relief supplies or configuring for medical evacuation. Thanks to a new Overhead Space Utilization kit, which adds 75 square metres of space, it could also be easily used for transporting race cars, race horses or the entourage of touring musical groups.  Read More