The Hardtop Convertible is Dead

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 09/13/2016 at 19:55 • Filed to: Convertibles

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“I’m not dead yet, I’m getting better!” No you’re not, you’ll be stone dead in a moment! Don’t let the fact that there is a 2016 VW Eos on sale now for $4,000 less than previous years. It’s dead and it would seem only spiders and targas stand to survive the Hardtopocalypse!

* Side note, does anyone else hate when people place “-ocalypse” at the end of words in order to form something that’s impossible to say out loud?

With reports that the upcoming Z5 and AMG developed SL-Class will be softtops, it’s unlikely many other manufacturers will bother with the R&D. I mean come on, if even BMW and Mercedes aren’t offering a bodystyle then you know it’s as good as gone! Combine all this with the fact that it doesn’t seem like Audi (TT/A5), Lexus (RC), Cadillac (ATS), Infiniti (Q60), Buick (Cascada), Chrysler (200), or even Ferrari (California T) have plans to build a future front-engined hardtop, the life support system seems to be flatlining. I’d be surprised to see a hardtop in the future or after this generation of SLC-Class and 4-Series, not to mention anything from Fiat, MINI, or smart.

That all said, we know the Wrangler will be the only convertible SUV we approve of (sorry Evoque). So if you want a brand new hardtop convertible in 2020, then expect that engine to be behind you. That or you can always go with the answer that’s always correct...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 20:02

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That is really strange, they were all the rage from 2000-2010. And they are a great idea. What's better than a convertible? A convertible that looks good even when the top is up.

Nibby > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 20:02

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facw > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/13/2016 at 20:09

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Plus, you get to extend your middle finger to b-pillars uglying up the car:

functionoverfashion > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/13/2016 at 20:12

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Also, in New England, what’s better than a convertible? Anything that doesn’t have a flimsy fabric roof all winter. Hardtop FTW in that case.

InFierority Complex > facw 09/13/2016 at 20:18

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I did want a 2nd gen c70 for awhile

dsgolson > Nibby 09/13/2016 at 20:21

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“With reports that the upcoming Z5 and AMG developed SL-Class will be softtops”

The next SLC will also be a softtop

AMC/Renauledge > facw 09/13/2016 at 20:24

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Except you’ve got those giant panel gaps sectioning off your convertible roof, making the thing look like a cheap plastic toy.

AMC/Renauledge > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 20:27

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Convertibles are already heavy due to the additional chassis bracing needed. RH’s just add weight in all the worst places, add tons of cost, build complexity, and hideous cut lines to a vehicle that’s supposed to be about style.

With saving weight as the hip, new trend, soft roofs are much better.

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 20:28

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I’d be surprised if future SLC’s are soft tops, as the R170 SLK was the first modern hardtop roadster that took off, unlike the 3000GT hardtop convertible which was an epic fail.

Batman the Horse > Nibby 09/13/2016 at 20:29

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It is truly rare that a hardtop convertible looks not fucked up. They usually have the weirdbutt. This one is obviously glorious.

RallyWrench > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 20:32

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Good, I’m tired of fixing the damn things.

facw > AMC/Renauledge 09/13/2016 at 20:35

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It is true that darker colors tend to look better. The white in the picture really brings out those segments.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AMC/Renauledge 09/13/2016 at 21:03

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There's always a compromise

Under_Score > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 21:04

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You forgot Mr. Cascada.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AMC/Renauledge 09/13/2016 at 21:06

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The Merc that Nibby post looks pretty slick.

Amoore100 > AMC/Renauledge 09/13/2016 at 22:03

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Better than a black cloth roof that makes you look like your car is unfinished.

AMC/Renauledge > Amoore100 09/13/2016 at 22:18

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I dunno. Looks like a perfectly finished convertible to me.

carcrasher88 > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 22:23

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Well, even if BMW’s next Z roadster won’t be a hardtop, there’s still always the 4 and 6 series models, and the hardtops don’t appear to be going on them anytime soon.

Then, in Japan, along with the Miata/Roadster, there’s also still the Daihatsu Copen, and I have the feeling if Lexus’ new flagship LC gets a convertible option, it’ll be a hardtop.

bhtooefr > Under_Score 09/13/2016 at 22:51

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Which is also a soft top...

bhtooefr > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 22:51

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Another problem that the Eos in particular had is... the hard top design was extremely fragile... to the point that anything more than a fender bender would total the car, due to the entire top assembly being tweaked.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > InFierority Complex 09/13/2016 at 23:04

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As much as I’d love to go practical and get an XC70, a C70 is really really tempting

ranwhenparked > Wobbles the Mind 09/13/2016 at 23:35

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Don’t know that I miss it, honestly. OK, I mean, yes, any reduction in diversity in passenger car lineups is a bad thing, but I never saw a retractible hardtop that I would rather have over a conventional coupe.

Amoore100 > AMC/Renauledge 09/13/2016 at 23:40

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What if I also want a coupe?

AMC/Renauledge > Amoore100 09/14/2016 at 00:01

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Buy a coupe, then.

This is one of the only acceptable retractables I can handle. The new ones look like fatasses with their roofs cut up clumsily.

Amoore100 > AMC/Renauledge 09/14/2016 at 01:27

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Well then I’ll buy a hardtop. Apparently no one else appreciates the technology and ingenuity involved in making metal fold anymore.

AMC/Renauledge > Amoore100 09/14/2016 at 02:54

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The technology makes the rest of the car worse.

It adds weight high in the body to spoil handling along with performance and economy, it robs trunk space and backseat space to a comical degree, and very few can be executed well stylistically without giving the car a giant ass and massive panel gaps.

It’s a cool idea and some companies manage it pretty well. And it’s fine if you like them a lot for their solidity and all-weather ability.

But with today’s trend toward weight saving, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go. Sorry bud.

AMC/Renauledge > Amoore100 09/14/2016 at 03:11

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Also, the C70 was cool

Amoore100 > AMC/Renauledge 09/14/2016 at 04:01

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Now you’re talkin. That’s an argument I can get behind, more than just “it’s ugly”. Sorry, but I’m weird like that in that once you justify it I can see your point, otherwise I’m a bit miffed by a lack of substantiation. Good day sir, and I appreciate the conversation. Also, early C70s had cloth tops which weren’t bad so I’m not opposed to a good soft top, just to clarify.

It seems odd though, cars are getting quite a lot heavier so what's an extra 500 pounds above two and a half tons when you're creating the ultimate leisure vehicle? Throwing more power at things seems to be the latest trend so it seems natural that BMW and Benz might pursue hard top tourers despite having a majority of soft tops in the past.

Nauraushaun > Wobbles the Mind 09/14/2016 at 08:35

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It’s an astute observation, but I think they’ll survive. People like the luxury.