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It's the same game every year: temperatures rise, sleeves and pant legs get shorter.
And enjoyable drivers risk another "big mouth".
Because with spring and the start of many seasonal registrations, the number of convertibles and roadsters on the streets skyrockets.
However, these are mainly experienced open-air friends.
Fresh air newbies, on the other hand, first need the right car and find it increasingly difficult.
In view of the declining number of registrations, many manufacturers have thinned out their programs: Open long-term favorites such as the convertibles from VW Golf or Mercedes S-Class have been taken off the market without replacement.
And new models with a retractable roof are rarer than ever at the start of the season.
Convertible top made of fabric is becoming increasingly popular
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When looking for the right open-air car, you will find it in two main categories: in the convertibles with four or in the roadsters, spiders and speedsters with only two seats and which are usually somewhat sportier.
In addition, fresh air fans have the choice between a classic fabric hood or a retractable hardtop, which at first glance looks more suitable for everyday use.
However, fabric roofs are now just as resistant and offer the same protection against air and noise, says BMW spokesman Florian Moser.
He also mentions two other advantages: They are lighter and can be folded closer together so that there is more space for luggage.
In addition to the design, this is another reason why more and more manufacturers are decommissioning plastic caps and returning to the fabric.
Ballet with a hood: the fabric hood of the BMW M440i is just opening
Source: dpa-tmn
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On the other hand, there are few alternatives when it comes to the drive: the gasoline engine is standard, a diesel engine is the exception and electric vehicles are so far a rarity.
Only the open Smart and the Fiat 500 Cabrio are currently available with batteries.
But that could change soon: According to a message from CEO Herbert Diess, VW is toying with a fresh air version of the electric ID3 in the LinkedIn career network.
And Tesla has announced the successor to the roadster with which the success story of the electric brand began in 2008 for 2022.
However, according to the factory, the super sports car, which is faster than 400 km / h, goes against the trend when it is built: instead of the earlier fabric top, there is only a hard top.
If the weather is nice, customers can take this out before the journey.
A convertible legend starts in a new generation
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In view of the steadily declining number of registrations and the scarce development budget among manufacturers due to the expensive switch to e-mobility, the selection of new models for this open-air season is unusually modest: the only premiere with a certain broad impact is the open-top BMW 4 Series.
According to the manufacturer, it will start in March at prices from 53,300 euros.
It was initially available with gasoline and diesel engines from 135 kW / 184 PS to 275 kW / 374 PS and for the first time in two generations with a fabric roof.
Eagerly awaited and not yet fully revealed: The new generation of the Mercedes SL
Source: dpa-tmn
Another open-air legend will be renewed in the summer: Mercedes is showing the next generation of the SL.
According to the company, it will change from a roadster back to a 2 + 2-seater, as was the case with the R 129 30 years ago.
But he says goodbye to the hardtop and comes back with a traditional fabric roof.
Expensive exotic cars with an open character
In addition, there are only exotic and extremist innovations this year.
About the 1.7 million euro expensive and over 300 km / h fast McLaren Elva.
As the most radical roadster of the season, it not only does without the roof, but also without the windows.
Morgan also serves a very special target group with the Plus Four, which is drawn like a classic car and which is going into its first full season at prices from EUR 74,600.
And if you want to drive the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, you also have to bring plenty of money.
The prices for the open V8 sports car with 357 kW / 510 PS start at around 160,000 euros, according to the manufacturer.
Sufficiently motorized and with a classic silhouette: the V8 in the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster develops over 500 hp
Source: dpa-tmn
The Ferrari SF90 Spider is even more expensive.
The Italians are celebrating this as the first plug-in hybrid among open-top sports cars.
If the retractable hardtop is folded back within 14 seconds, you can enjoy a wind machine with a system output of 735 kW / 1000 PS.
It drives 25 kilometers purely electrically and reaches a maximum of 340 km / h.
You will need the fresh air when the price takes your breath away.
Because the open SF90 should not be available for less than 450,000 euros.
Italian double heart: The Ferrari SF90 Spider drives up as a plug-in hybrid
Source: dpa-tmn
A used convertible as an alternative
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According to KÜS spokesman Hans-Georg Marmit, anyone looking for a used convertible instead of a new car has to check a few things more than with an ordinary used one.
“Of course you should take a critical look at the roof and all the seals.” The convertible top mechanism should also be checked repeatedly.
In the case of fabric roofs, look for chafing points or cracks.
As tempting as the subsequent topless test drive may be, it is best to do it with the roof closed, advises the KÜS spokesman.
“Unusual wind or fluttering noises indicate a defect.
And anyone who drives through a car wash quickly notices whether the roof is really tight. "
Classic shape: The Morgan Plus Four looks like a vintage car and rolls into your garage as a new car from 74,600 euros
Source: dpa-tmn
And something else is important: while convertible drivers enjoy an almost unobstructed all-round view with the roof open, the overview with closed convertibles and roadsters is often worse than with conventional cars.
“That's why you should take a test drive to see whether you can handle it,” says Marmit's tip.
Regardless of whether it is a new or used car: After a test drive, purchase and registration, nothing stands in the way of enjoying the fresh air.
But after a long winter in the corona lockdown, Marmit has urgent advice ready for the first trips in the open air: "Don't forget your scarf and sunscreen, otherwise the convertible season will be over sooner than it started."
Only the shape is classic: the new all-electric Fiat 500 is currently one of the few open electric cars
Source: dpa-tmn