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The 2012 VW Golf Cabriolet's returning after a long absence, much to the excitement of bossy private school girls who play field hockey and haunt your dreams. It's slightly shorter than the Eos and, hopefully, cheaper. Europe only, for now. More »
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The new Fiat 500 Cabrio, spotted for the first time, appears to keep tradition alive with a top that maintains the sardine can roof-line of the original Topolino. More »
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Our man in Bologna snapped these shots of the brand new A3 in brilliant white, looking very much like what we saw earlier. It's so bright, the spokesmodel in the picture can hardly look at it. As a reminder, the A3 vert is getting a pair of gas engines and two diesels with a power range from 105 bhp to 200 bhp. They'll be dropping their tops in Germany like Bild girls starting February 2008. More »
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We know BMW plans on dropping a hard-top 3 Series Coupe cabrio and we've been told it'll be coming to the Geneva Auto Show this winter. Heck, we've even seen some spy shots to prove it. But none have come this up-close and personal as these shots taken by young spy photographer RoAnSa. We're now very much looking forward to Geneva and seeing the E93 M3 unveiled in person. More »
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Shrinking the t-top Pontiac Firebird concept down to a road hugging turbo minicar is the Brabus Smart Fortwo Cabrio. Touted as a true city sports car by the Smarts, the diminutive urban block carver features a searing orange paint job and cabrio top that folds away in seconds. The rest of the roof stows away in a back drawer. The 110 horsepower turbo mill delivers max torque of 111 foot pounds of torque when kept in 2800 to 4200 rpm range by the Brabus sport steering wheel mounted paddle shifter. The spokesmodels had no comment on if a miniature screaming chicken decal would become available. Press release after the jump. More »
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Most of the prototypical BMW 1-Series coupes spotted heretofore have been hardtops disguised as convertibles (reasoning?). But new shots of the 1-Series cab emerged this week, indicating the One will indeed have a cloth roof, not some mass-accruing retractable hardtop. We're expecting a full-on launch of the new coupe line at the Frankfurt show, ahead of a US rollout of the 125ci and 135ci models in 2008. [Motor Authority] More »
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Retractable hardtop for a bit more rigidity? Check. Last vestiges of spy-thwarting disguise? Check. High-revving V8 causing forward motion? Apparently so. Hans-Joachim Stück behind the wheel pounding out apexes? Probably not. But still, that's the BMW M3 cabrio, mutable hardtop affixed, rounding the Nürburgring on a shakedown mission before it debuts this September in Frankfurt. After that, it'll more likely be an ornament of the Hamptons, on LA's coast highway and Miami's Ocean Drive than a racetrack flogee. Overengineering, thy name is Bimmer. – Mike Spinelli More »
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Well, look what popped up in Augsburg. It's the BMW M3 gone topless. Better to hear that new V8, we'd imagine, though keeping that toupe affixed may be of extra concern to some midlife-crisis buyers. It'll be slightly heavier than the coupe, thanks to typical body strengthening, which means a slightly slower zero-to-60 run than the coupe. That is, we hear, five seconds plus, compared to 4.8 for the coupe. We'll see it in Frankfurt ahead of an early '08 introduction in Europe. – Mike Spinelli More »
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The proper chaps at Automobile offer a glimmer of hope for those lamenting the Europe-only status of Audi's RS4 Cabriolet. According to one unnamed product planner, the book may not be closed on a US version. No similar ghost of a chance for the RS4 Avant, you wagoneers. A 420-hp Avant won't be coming to the parking lot of a stateside IKEA near an urban center anytime soon. More »
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The German motoring press allegedly confirmed the Audi A3 for production today, and coincidentally, AutoExpress caught its Municher competitor, the BMW 1-Series cabrio coupe. Spied during testing outside BMW's Munich headquarters, and likely following a traditional breakfast of wei wurst und weissbierthe, the 1-Series prototype hearkens a new model whose styling comes directly from the company's CS1 concept of 2002. No word on price, but we're expecting it to come in between that of a black forest cake and 150 nights at the Platzl Hotel. – Mike Spinelli More »
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German magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports Audi's A3 cabrio is a go. That means the coming 1-Series cabrio from BMW will have a partner for the cover story on small droptops you just know is forthcoming. Further word has it the S4 will come sans roof. Both are expected to launch in 2008 for the 2009 model year. AMuS artistes have also spec'ed out what the roofless hatch will look like, though still nothing on export plans. Looks like little sister will just have to wait to find out what her sweet sixteen present will be. – Mike Spinelli More »
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If it's the Geneva show, Kia is virtually bound by law to show some manner of C'eed concept car. This year it's the ex_cee'd cabrio, a prototype designed by Peter Schreyer, Kia's new design boss. If you'll remember, Schreyer created the Bauhaus-inspired first-gen Audi TT coupe. Now, he's charged with giving Kia a new, Euro friendly face. The ex_cee'd cabrio sports a fabric roof, intentionally bypassing Europe's folding-hardtop fad. Nonetheless, the show car will inevitably draw attention to the launch of its production-ready siblings, the C'eed three-door hatch and wagon, also set for the Geneva show. – Mike Spinelli More »
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It might be the BMW 1-Series or the 2-Series, but either way a new entry Bimmer is coming to the US, and 2Addicts has a new set of spy shots as evidence. The photos arrive courtesy of spy shooters Hans Lehmann, et. al., from points cold and northward, and show with new clarity the cabrio that first broke cover last year. The short rear deck and overhangs indicate the extent of the US model's departure from the hatchlike 1-Series sold in Europe, and word is could get the 335i's turbocharged six, which — along with the shorty's lower weight — could mean a pretty mean little widowmaker. Hiho! – Mike Spinelli More »
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Designer Holger Mohr's tuning shop IMSA (no relation to the International Motor Sports Association) started out outfitting new Lamborghinis with body gear and wheelage. Then, earlier this year, the company launched the GTV, which added engine, suspension and AWD tweaks — uprating the Lambo's V10 to 610 horsepower. Now, with the Gallardo Spyder staking out the world's cheeseball nightclubs like a pencil-mustached Lothario, IMSA's created a GTV from the droptop as well. Twist those pinky rings, guys, this one's a keeper. – Mike Spinelli More »
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We know it takes a while to bring a concept from the show to the showroom floor, but the General sure is taking its sweet-ass time bringing the new Camaro to market. I mean, come on — 2009? Wasn't it introduced as a concept in the 14th Century? Apparently, they haven't quite gotten the whole instant-gratification thing down. Nonetheless, this year GM's taken a Jaws of Life to the Camaro concept car to create an entirely new concept. Ok, it's not so new, and it doesn't even have a working roof. But if you can't wait for the kleig lights and blond bombshells to see what it looks like, head to Winding Road and get a free copy of the digital-download buff book. They've got the scoop on the first drive. – Ray Wert More »
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Despite the arrival of the first US Smart Fortwo models in 2007, Europeans will still have one Smart up on the Yanks. That is, the Brabus-tuned Smart. With the current Brabus Black Star 101 ending production with the 2006 model, the company's working on its tuner version of the next-gen Fortwo, which spies have apparently caught in cabrio form during cold-weather flogging. With Brabus's help, the new model may just break 10 seconds in the zero-to-60 sprint, which is the Smart equivalent of doing a nine-second quarter mile. – Mike Spinelli More »
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My love of the Mini has been documented in more places than I ever hoped possible, so of course I'm excited to see BMW already well underway on plans to make a more-precise version of the Mini cabrio for the adoring masses of micro machine lovers. Although the mule in the photos is relatively complete-looking, the folks at Motoring File believe this drop-top won't be dropping onto dealer lots for quite some time — say Spring of 2009. I guess that means you Mini-heads may have to hold onto that microgasm in your pockets for just a little while longer. In the meantime, check out the pictures Straightline's procured via the link below. – Ray Wert More »
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These new spy shots from the photographic ether known as the Brenda Priddy organization show the next-gen BMW M3 in retractable droptop form — a vehicle some say should reside near poseur (or footballer) in the Merriam-Webster/OED. Still, it's the first we've seen of the 400+hp hard(ish) top model, though it won't likely be the last; the final version is allegedly set for an unveiling in Frankfurt next year, following nine months of increasingly frequent sightings and subsequent long-lens photography. – Mike Spinelli More »
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Well, I guess there's no accounting for the International Dateline when setting press release embargo times, eh? Or so it would seem after the 'merican (UK) side of the German-American hybrid's gone a little bit early with some of their information on the new Chrysler Sebring Convertible — or as they'll call it across the pond — the cabrio. Full press release from DaimlerChrysler UK after the jump and the one pic above — also from DaimlerChrysler UK. If you'd like to see more on the Chrysler Group's new convertible "hotness" check back here sometime after midnight EST tonight when we'll have it in all of it's "glory." – Ray Wert More »
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Well, look what the spies snagged: the 2008 BMW 3-Series retractable hardtop coupe, clad in nothing but paint. We must admit, the Bayerische bunch have quite a looker on their hands. With the top up, the 3 has not a single awkward angle, as is always a risk when coaxing hardtop cabrios off the page (Volvo C70, call the front desk). None of it looks temporary; only those telltale creases give away its open-top nature. BMW must have consulted an origami master. Look for an unveiling at some upcoming car show or other. – Mike Spinelli More »
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Now that the people's tractors are made globally, Russia's Volga had to find something else to do with their hammers and, well you know. They've already morphed the iconic Communist-era GA3-21P (dig the so-sexy central-planning moniker) coupe into a reskinned BMW 850Csi as the Volga V12. Now they're continuing with the coachworks, creating the Volga V8 Roadster on the bones of a 650i cabrio. It uses the same chassis, powertrain, cloth top and mechanism, only with new sheetmetal. Da. More »
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Generally, we leave the spy photography to professionals, like Brenda Priddy, Hans G. Lehmann and our readers. But now and then, opportunity and necessity conspire to force us to take matters into our own hands, and yesterday was just such a time. Rolling down the 101 a bit north of Santa Barbara, Eagle-Eye Pendleton spotted a car that didn't look quite right. At first blush, we thought it might be a disguised Volvo C70, which is most likely what the Motoren Werker of Bayern wanted passers-by to think. And besides, the Swedish postulate made no sense, seeing as the car's already been released. And then, from the rear three-quarter view, we noticed the distinctive Hofmeister kink. More »
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When Volkswagen sent its "Moonraker" project team to a Malibu beach house to suss out how to hook the American car market, it came up with the GX3 three-wheeler, which was subsequently kaboshed by the company's lawyers (likely after a good deal of awkward laughter in the general counsel's office). They also came up with a couple of aftermarket-tuned boy-racer concepts for the SEMA show, and now — right before the Eos cabrio launches in the states, the Eos "Highway 1" concept. Volkswagen unveiled the concept, fittingly, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which isn't far from the Pacific Coast Highway after which the prototype special edition is named. The model's got a lowered, aftermarket suspension 20" Mille Miglia alloys a rear spoiler and fat meats courtesy of Continental. Powered by the Eos's top-line engine offering, V-dub's 3.2-liter V6, the Highway 1 has a custom, two-tone interior and piano-black lacquer accents. No doubt the legal team is just fine with this one, though VW has announced no plans to offer it as a package. More »
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Germany's AutoBild reports on Audi's new crop of cabrios on its way from Ingolstadt. Talk has been circulating about the company's R8 supercar being offered in a Gallardo-like spider version, and the Bild talks about that car as if it's a done deal, though they've yet to put imagery-meister Huckfeld on the case. They're also schreiben about the Audi A3 cabrio, which is expected to hit in 2007, possibly at the same time as the TT roadster. It's all a matter of "fresh wind" breaking from the Audi drawing boards, Bild says — though it's possible Google Translate may be overstating the case. More »
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Carscoop, true to its name, unearthed what may be an arial shot of the coming BMW coupe-cabriolet, allegedly via cellphone from one of BMW's German factories. The three-piece top's articulations are plainly visable, with tolerances that would make Herbert Quandt cough up a Bad Homburg. Maybe it's yes, maybe it's no. More »
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A reader of Bimmer board E90Post caught sight of the new E93 convertible (w/retractable hardtop) having its bell rung on the autobahn. The droptop will be next in line among the new range to be unveiled, likely at the Paris show, ahead of a market intro in 2007. [Thanks to Tom for the tip.] More »
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The UK's king of high-fashion plasticware, Sebastian Conran, is putting his chichi stamp on Nissan's Micra C + C cabrio. Nissan's showing off a show car based on its European Micra droptop, the C+C+Conran, at the British motor show later this week. The concept joins Nissan's body of Conran-penned projects. The special Micra will be in a crimson-tinged duotone, Blushing Black, with dark-grey accenting. No word on whether it'll come with a special drainboard / can opener / potholder caddy. More pics after the jump. More »
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Winding out a convertible to 217 mph, we'd imagine, is like flying a Gulfstream V with T-tops. Of course, though the tuning boys at 9ff made such a feat possible, they did it with the top up, mitigating the need for an O2 mask. That means next to a Hemi-powered plain-jane Dodge Charger cop car, the company's all-wheel tuner 911 cabrio is the ultimate sleeper. They make it so by upclocking the factory model to reach 650 hp and boosting the brakes (gee, thanks). More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=186167&view=rss&microfeed=true The elusive BMW 1-Series cabrio, a wily little bugger that only appears every fifth month, was caught during a test jaunt on what looks to be the N rburgring. Word is the new model will be launched for the European market at the Paris show in September, though we wouldn't rule out an unveiling at the British show next month. The BMWers are sneaky like that. More »
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They've kept us waiting for a couple extra years since the first 997-generation cars started appearing, and Porsche says we'll have to go ahead and wait some more for next (and last?) models. Still, spies caught shots of the upcoming 911 Turbo Cabriolet and Targa during harsh-weather testing somewhere north of Iceville, Coldovia. The cab may never see this kind of weather again, unless Los Angeles swaps ends with Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon County, Alaska. Road trip! More »
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Audi's getting all the New York auto show this week — unveiling its 2008 TT and introducing its 2007 A4 and S4 cabrios to the Norteamericanos on Wednesday, April 12. The theme will be fashion and design, with a runway show by New York fashion designer Doo.Ri Chung — featuring supermodel Tajana Patitz — during the press conference, which will lead into the TT's introduction. No word on whether the afterparty will involve body shots of Asbach Uralt, but one can dream. More »
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Damn, the photographers can't seem to keep their lenses off the Ford Focus cabrio. Based on the Vignale concept shown at last year's Geneva show, the hardtop convertible is the product of Italy's Pininfarina, which will also build the cars at the firm's plant in Northern Italy. The cabrio enters a market starting to get lousy with its ilk, including the Focus's corporate cousin, the Volvo C70, the Volkswagen Eos and a coming new 3-Series. More »
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The Foursprungs beat us all to the tip on this one, popping up the first press release with official photos of the new 420hp Audi RS4 droptop and wagon. Set to pose in the flesh at Geneva, these beasties complete the RS4 line, with the sedan having been released last year. We're totally gonna cruise in the Avant smoking a Dutch Masters while drinking a Cappuccino Blast from Baskin Robbins while cranking Iron Maiden's "The Flight of Icarus" with Lou Ferrigno riding shotgun and Ted Leo and Mickey Kaus in the back. After that, we'll all go to Mel's for cheese fries and patty melts. More »
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World Car Fans procured a few more shots of that supposed 1-Series cabrio, snapped at the company's proving grounds in northern Europe. Word is the Euro model will hit dealerships in 2007 as a lower-priced alternative to the 3-Series coupe-cabrio. Considering the disbelief voiced, er, enthusiastically after the first shots of the canvas-topped One surfaced, these shots may at least end the Lock Ness Beemer jokes once and for all. More »
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The boys from Bertone are working up a new coupe-cabriolet concept vehicle, the second of several concepts expected to appear at next month's Geneva show to be built around on Fiat's latest B-segment hopeful, the Punto Grande. The yet-unnamed concept is a four-seat coupe-cabrio that can actually seat four in relative comfort, Bertone says, and the cabin layout is the result of "meticulously attentive volumetric and ergonomic studies." (We love when they talk dirty.) No word on a production model yet, but it's likely Fiat's got its feelers out for the next vehicles in its planned expansion of the Punto line. This could be one. More »
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Well, well, well, what have we here? World Car Fans has uncovered a new 1-Series cabrio ahead of its unveiling at the Geneva show net month. BMW's reportedly launching the new drop-top alongside its sibling, the three-door version of the brand's littlest four wheeler, both of which be available to buyers in Europe this summer. Yep, another hot pseudo-hatch the US won't be getting. We're only sort of impressed, anyway. More »
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Used to be that tuning houses wouldn't look sideways at a diesel engine. Now, with Europe's diesel boom in its, oh, zillionth year, yet another tuner diesel is hitting the 'bahn — B&B Automobiltechnik's Audi A4 Cabriolet. With the 3.0-liter TDI as a starting point, the company installs a turbocharger with a custom air-induction system and hot-rodded ECU software to tweak a 70hp boost to 300 hp and 442 ft.-lbs of torque out of the oil-burning drop top. The enhancements included in this top performance level only cut zero-to-62 times from 7.3 seconds to 6.2 seconds, but boost top speed from 150 mph to 163 mph. The downside is the $7200 price tag (and Europe-only spec). (Not that it could run on our sulfur-rich diesel anyway.) More »
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At the 2001 Tokyo motor show, the weird geniuses at Japan's Mitsuoka Motors showed off the radical Orochi concept, based on the Acura (Honda) NSX, appearing to be the result of a botched George Barris experiment involving a late-model Mercedes-Benz SL, a Lamborghini Murci lago and five or more hits of brown acid. This year, the company unveiled a spider version of the Orochi, literally "nude top," in Tokyo this week. We're not sure if it still rides on the underpinnings of the discontinued NSX, but it sure is, er, something. More »
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The final (and to many, the most desirable) variant of the latest-generation Porsche 911 (997), the everything bagel of the Porsche universe, the Swiss Army Knife sports car, the Porsche Turbo cabrio, is likely at least a fiscal quarter away from official viewing. While we're expecting Porsche's whole droptop fleet to appear at the Detroit auto show early next year, MPH has some shots of the new, AWD Turbo cab in its element right now. No waiting. Shoo. More »
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