 Mercedes Ocean Drive  Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead  BMW 3-Series Convertible |
Detroit was uncommonly mild for January this year – only light snow flurries and temperatures around zero. So the crop of luxury convertibles unveiled at the auto show this week seemed somewhat incongruous.
Of course, the new soft-tops launched by Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz are more Malibu than Michigan – likely buyers for the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé and the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive are Hollywood celebrities and other wealthy Californians.
Mercedes at least acknowledged the colder climate of Detroit by displaying the Ocean Drive on part of its stand that had been turned into an ice rink. The V12-engined car is basically a convertible version of the S-Class with a custom, coach-built body. It’s something Mercedes is actively considering, and it could be called CLC in the Merc range.
Rolls-Royce is definitely building the Phantom Drophead Coupé, and production will start at Goodwood in the summer. The two-door, four-seat convertible is described as “a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design”. It is derived from the 100EX concept car and uses an aluminium spaceframe to give a combination of rigid bodyshell and low weight.
Rolls-Royce boss Ian Robertson said: “The Drophead leads us in a more informal direction, attracting new buyers to the marque.” And he confirmed Rolls would expand its range: “In the coming years other new models will strengthen the company still further,” he said.
For those on a slightly lower budget, BMW’s new 3 -Series Convertible made its debut. It’s the first BMW to have a retractable electric hardtop roof. It will be launched in the UK in April in 325i and 335i versions, priced £33,030 and £37,895 respectively.
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