The hardtop-convertible battle is going to heat up shortly, as the American and European luxury carmakers will shortly also have Lexus and Infiniti to contend with. Actually the new Infiniti G37 convertible (2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Infiniti G37 Convertible) and the Lexus IS 250/350 (2008 Paris Auto Show: 2010 Lexus IS 250/350C) will likely do battle among themselves first, with the other entries being secondary targets. Even so, that's not good news for BMW, Saab, etc.
Both these new hard-droptops will go on sale this spring.
Also of note is that Infiniti will be offering AWD on their 2009 fixed-roof G37 coupe (Infiniti Adds All-Wheel-Drive Coupe to 2009 G37 Lineup), thereby making it a G37x coupe. Also interesting to note that 40 percent of all G37 sedan buyers opt for AWD, and Infiniti is expecting the percentage for the AWD coupe will be between 30 and 40 percent of their total coupe sales.
roar02ram says:
11:51 AM, 10/ 6/08
Does anyone have AWD stats for the BMW 3-series coupes?
estreka says:
02:11 PM, 10/ 6/08
That G37 looks potentially sexy.
hondacura4 says:
02:42 PM, 10/ 6/08
I never could warm up to the G's rear end. It just has way too much visual weight along with that typical Japanese genericness.
The IS350s rear is better as it doesnt have nearly as much visual weight as the G. Its almost Germanic in design. The 3 is still the looker of the bunch at least untill the Audi A/S5 convertible debuts. Cant wait to see a CTS convertible.
albook says:
04:01 PM, 10/ 6/08
No war here. The G already has this match won. The IS is disproportional with an oversized rear in.
ateixeira says:
12:53 PM, 10/ 7/08
I'm a convertible fan looking for a 4 seater to replace my Miata, so these cars should light up my interest - yet they don't.
Both will have useless back seats, and they're too heavy to be truly sporting.
Either give me a *real* back seat, or just make it a lighter, sportier 2 seater.
estreka says:
03:36 PM, 10/ 7/08
Ateixeira:
a *real* back seat = RR Phantom Drophead Coupe
a lighter, sportier 2 seater = S2000 ;-)
alexis4 says:
10:04 AM, 12/30/08
The Audi convertible (either A4 or new A5) will be more practical, and their AWD is miles better. The Audi has a real back seat. The Lexus will be a sales success, though, and most drivers/buyers will be middle-age women. That is the trend I have seen. The Lexus is a great car, very reliable, with a lot of comfort features. I don't really know about the Infiniti, though - it's probably going after customers who can't afford an Audi or BMW. www.lexusenglewood.com