There’s a certain charm to convertibles that not all seem to understand. Demanding a higher price than their coupe counterparts, they offer the joys of open-top driving. Meaning, battling the dust to keep your eyes open when zooming down the highway, developing an acute case of tinnitus due to the jarring wind noise, and constantly engaging in a fierce sweat match against the seemingly ineffective A/C system. Not exactly a novelty then, convertibles tend to remain far off my bucket list, unless they happen to be the Jaguar F-Type, Maserati GranCabrio, or the Mazda MX-5.
Jaguar F-Type
Exuding presence, the Jaguar F-Type SVR turns more heads than a man dressed in a fluorescent pink suit waving celebratory balloons at a funeral, and for very good reason. Perfection personified, the British coupe with its thunderous exhaust note, breathtaking performance, and stunning good looks is the clear underdog of its class – making it that much more desirable to enthusiasts around the globe.
Engine: 5.0L / V8
Power: 575 HP / 700 NM
Top Speed: 322 Km/h
Price: AED 656,000
Maserati GranCabrio
The last of the hand built lot, the Maserati GranCabrio MC is the automotive equivalent of Jennifer Aniston – an outright stunner – and one whose Ferrari-built engine and sonorous exhaust note is enough to make you sign on the dotted line multiples times over. Not to be confused with an outright sports car, the GranCabrio is more of a grand tourer, but is bound to deliver smile after smile not only to the face of the driver, but to the faces of passersby too.
Engine: 4.7L / V8
Power: 460 HP / 520 NM
Top Speed: 289 Km/h
Price: AED 625,000
Mazda MX-5
An outlier in this particular article and the automotive industry as a whole, the Mazda MX-5 is popular for its affordability and simplicity. Powered by a puny 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated engine, the Japanese offering proves that a heavy V8 and a lead foot isn’t always the answer to having fun behind the wheel. In a strange way, you could say, it’s targeted at the purists.
Engine: 2.0L / 4-cylinder
Power: 165 HP / 190 NM
Top Speed: 194 Km/h
Price: AED 130,000
Editor's Pick:
Hyundai vies for millennials with 2018 Kona
Maserati GranTurismo Special Edition lands on UAE shores
Also See:
