Winter is coming, and among the many blessings this brings is that it’s literally open season for al fresco motoring. There are few more-rewarding experiences than a brisk thrash across scenic winding roads – take Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, for example – in a well-engineered roadster that instils a sense of connection not just to the tarmac, but also the elements.
What's that? You don't own a convertible? No need to fret: here are The National's top eight roadsters that aren't merely topless show ponies – rather, they're well-rounded performers with crisp dynamics and a great fun factor, even with the top raised.
Audi TT Roadster (from Dh195,000)
The TT Roadster misses out on the token rear seats of its coupé sibling, but that’s unlikely to deter the target audience for this incarnation. Its fabric roof (rather than a folding hardtop) means that the TT is light and agile, and said roof can be made to disappear in just nine seconds at the push of a button. Propelled by a 230hp 2.0L turbo engine, the TT is a punchy performer, with nimble, sure-footed handling. The cabin also has an agreeably premium ambience.
BMW 2 Series Convertible (from Dh184,000)
This baby BeeEm is proof positive that good things can often come in small packages, serving up even greater enjoyment levels than its bigger, pricier 4 Series sibling. The entry-level 220i packs a 184hp punch, but upgrading to the 245hp 228i will up your enjoyment levels even further still, boasting a 6.1-second 0-to-100kph sprint. The rear-driven rag-top has the sort of grippy cornering prowess that you would expect of a car wearing blue-and-white roundel badges. On the downside, the rear seats are ultra-tight, but it caters well to front-seat occupants.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible (from Dh330,000)
In the past, Corvettes were thought of as brawny “Yank Tanks”, with plenty of straight-line urge, but not much finesse. That all changed with the superbly engineered C7 model, with can hold its own against European opposition. You still get a hulking 455hp 6.2L V8 under the long snout, but its aluminium-intensive chassis is beautifully tied down, encouraging you to make the most of the ’Vette’s prodigious grunt. The cabin, too, has a much classier look and feel than Chevys of old.
Ford Mustang Convertible (from Dh175,000)
Ford’s all-new pony car hasn’t merely met expectations of Mustang fans around the world, – it has considerably exceeded them. The big news with the latest ’Stang is the availability of a frugal 2.3L four-cylinder turbo motor. There’s still a burbling 5.0L V8 elsewhere on the menu, and this is the version we recommend. The convertible isn’t quite as dynamically taut as the coupé, but it’s still enjoyable to pedal briskly. The rear is best suited to juniors, but the boot is generous.
Mazda MX-5 (from Dh124,000)
The term “iconic” is thrown around rather loosely these days, but it applies in the case of the MX-5. Originally launched in 1989, it has gone on to become the world’s biggest-selling roadster. Embodying the Japanese “Jinba ittai” (rider and horse in one body) ethos, the MX-5 rewards the driver far more than its modest 160hp/200Nm outputs would suggest. Light, agile and beautifully tactile, the little Mazda begs you to make it dance. It’s also practical, frugal and easy to live with on a day-to-day basis.
Nissan 370Z Roadster (from Dh149,000)
Nissan’s 370Z may now be distinctly long in the tooth (it was launched in 2009), but the ageing warhorse still has much to offer. Its aggressive snout and pumped wheel arches provide a few clues to the beefy performance on tap from the 328hp 3.7L engine, which sends drive to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or seven-speed auto. It might not have the sublime balance of a Porsche Boxster (more of that below), but the 370Z is fast and entertaining nonetheless. And with prices starting at just shy of Dh150,000, it offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Porsche 718 Boxster (from Dh221,448)
The latest Boxster, which wears a “718” prefix in reference to one of the marque’s historic racers, the 1957 718 RSK, has ditched its predecessors’ six-pot engines. In their place are new turbo four-cylinder motors that are cleaner-burning and torquier than the oldies. Yes, the 718 has lost some aural charisma in the process, but it remains the sports car by which all others should be judged. Superbly poised, the Boxster feels like an extension of your body, delighting with each kilometre covered. It’s quick, too, even the entry-level 2.0L: model sprints dashes from 0- to 100kph in 5.1 seconds and tops out at 275kph.
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet (from Dh128,000)
The Beetle drop-top might seem out of place somewhat in this selection of keen drivers’ cars, but that would be selling it short. The second-generation Cabrio introduced more-masculine and broad-shouldered proportions than its cutesy predecessor (the infamous dashboard-mounted flower vase has been banished, too). This visual muscularity also carries through to its on-road demeanour, which benefits from using the same platform and power train as the previous Golf GTI. It adds up to a brisk, stylish, everyday roadster with German solidity.
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