Time to take the top down

As the weather finally warms up a bit, nothing is more appealing than taking a drive down a windy countryside lane in a swish convertible car. The UK has one of the most thriving coupe and convertible markets despite the fact we don’t exactly get the highest number of sunshine hours in Europe. If you’re thinking of trading in the family saloon, take a look at three of the newest convertibles on the market

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MERCEDES SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR

STRONGER styling to the front and rear point the way forward for Mercedes’ baby roadster.

A new bumper and air dam give it that bold V-shape at the front; the tail gets diffuser-look styling, topped off by trapezoidal-shaped exhaust pipes, and there are AMG-inspired darkened tail lights. The exterior mirrors have been enlarged and house integrated arrow-shaped LED indicators in a bid to improve driver visibility without losing out on style.

Inside, the snug cabin has a fresher look thanks to new features such as a three-spoke steering wheel, instrument clusters and a new-generation head unit. It’s still quite a busy looking cabin, but the numerous controls fit in well with the cabin’s cosy feel. There are more trim and leather options to choose from, while the optional equipment list has been expanded.

Better looking than ever before, and with high levels of equipment, the 200 K’s prize bounty lies under its bonnet. On paper, the figures look good. Both power and torque have been increased; fuel consumption has improved from 32.5mpg to 36.2mpg, and CO emissions have been reduced from 209 to 182g/km.

Capable of completing 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and with a top speed of 147mph, the engine is both lively and peppy enough to provide a brisk drive whether on the motorway or twisting country lanes.

The gearbox carries a precise and slick action; there’s plenty of grip available from the wheels; minimal lean when cornering, and the suspension does a good job of balancing comfort with a sporty feel.

Optional to the 200 K, a direct-steer system uses a variable-ratio rack which gives adjustable assistance according to speed and the amount of lock applied to the wheel. More lock results in speeding up the steering for a quicker response, while keeping the steering wheel level gives more straight-line stability for motorway cruising. Similarly, the system makes light work of slow-speed manoeuvring such as parking, reducing steering wheel turns lock to lock by 25%. Overall, steering is quick to respond but can still suffer from a slight lack of feel.

The SLK has retained its three-piece vario roof which, by a push of a button, transforms the car from hardtop to roadster in 22 seconds. Whether the roof is up or down, the cabin remains quiet, with little intrusion from wind or road noise. An optional wind deflector can be fitted to reduce buffeting when the roof is down, and boot space – 300 litres with the roof up, 208 litres when down – is actually quite reasonable, and workable, for a roadster.

An entirely new telematics system has been fitted to the SLK. Bluetooth hands-free phone connection is integrated into every radio, as is an aux-in port for connecting external music players. A Media Interface package allows portable media devices such as iPods to be connected and controlled from the steering wheel with on-screen track listings.

The £29,710 200 K is now more economical to run and greener in nature, while the extra kick from the engine makes it that little bit meaner, too.

RENAULT MEGANE COUPE CABRIOLET DYNAMIQUE

ONCE the preserve of cars inhabiting the luxury end of the market, folding metal roofs have become a staple component right across the convertible car scene.

Along with Peugeot, Renault decided early on to switch from fabric to metal-roofed convertibles. However, its Megane offering takes the concept a step further with the addition of a glass panel in lieu of more sheet metal.

As has been said many times already, you could never describe the Megane as a safe and sensible car design-wise. The hatchback variant is pretty radical for a family car, and while the Coupe-Convertible, as it’s called, is less dramatic, it remains one of the more interesting convertibles on the road.

For all the aspirational elements associated with convertible ownership, cars with metal roofs need somewhere to store their lids – hence the often boxy rear ends of some models.

This actually works in the Megane’s favour; in hatchback form, the car is quite angular and the extended look of the rear of the convertible is perfectly in keeping with the rest of the car.

In fact, this elongated look is rather attractive. Crucially, with the roof up, the Megane’s proportions remain balanced. And that’s not something you can say about many of the Megane’s rivals.

Also in the Megane’s favour is that it’s something of an all-rounder. That’s certainly the case if you opt for one of Renault’s diesel engines. Not so long ago, a diesel convertible was the worst combination for refinement. You’ve got to admit that the clatter of a diesel heard through an open roof is hardly a delightful concept.

Worry not with the Megane, because Renault is a maker of some the quietest diesel units around. And given that there’s more bulk to pull around in the shape of the roof and all the associated mechanicals to raise and lower it, you’ll be needing a powerful motor – such as the 150bhp dCi diesel.

And it’s this engine that makes the Megane convertible such an all-rounder.

You might not want to test the car and engine combination to the limit – the Megane is not exactly the sportiest car in its sector – but you will appreciate the diesel unit’s hushed character.

With the roof up, the Megane is like any regular car: refined and comfortable. When it comes to roof-down motoring, it is as refined as cars costing considerably more. The diesel motor contributes greatly to this feeling, while the ability to zip along at the top legal limit and still be able to hold a sensible conversation is most gratifying.

Despite the Megane’s roof being electrically powered – and very smooth and quick it is, too – there is a little bit of work required in the shape of erecting the wind deflector that sits behind the front seats. With the roof up, you can – just – get two adults in the back, but you’re going to have to ditch your friends if you want the deflector to save you from having a bad hair day. It’s a small price to pay for less buffeting at speed, though.

AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

WITH Audi’s popularity in the UK and Germany, and the equally lucrative US, it comes as no surprise that the manufacturer has chosen to build a cabriolet version of the popular A3 hatchback. In fact, it’s a surprise that Audi waited this long.

Like the 1 Series, the A3 Cabriolet doesn’t feature a hi-tech metal roof. Instead, it has a hi-tech canvas one. The manufacturer believes that modern materials and assembly methods mean there is little to be lost in terms of refinement (an increase of 1dB at cruising speed) and plenty to be gained in terms of packaging and driving characteristics (a large boot and sprightly, balanced handling with the roof up or down).

The advantages stare you in the face, which will give the model a considerable head start in the showroom. The boot is big for a cabrio model and folding the roof flat makes no difference to it at all.

That makes it even more of a shame that the boot door itself is so restrictive. Access to the boot, and the extra room afforded by the fold-down rear seats, is hindered by letter-box design that means retrieving a laptop bag requires a blind grabbing action not dissimilar to James Herriot examining a cow.

Despite that, the A3 Cabriolet can still claim to be a practical everyday car, just like its hard-top rivals. The fact that the boot space remains a constant is a big plus, as is the highly impressive speed with which the lightweight roof can be deployed in the event of a sudden downpour.

Like the hatchback, the A3 Cabriolet is a very grown-up car in terms of its styling, but doesn’t skimp on the juvenile fun when it comes to the driving experience. The 1.8-litre TFSI petrol is buzzy and keen, well suited to lively compact cabriolet design.

Thanks to the A3 Cabriolet’s lack of excessive additional weight, the 158bhp goes a long way. A more powerful two-litre petrol is also available, alongside a choice of diesels, but the 1.8-litre is happy to cruise at a steady speed and offers decent acceleration along with respectable fuel economy.

The range-topping S Line model, like the Sport trim level, features lowered suspension that offers a more dynamic ride than the standard model. Its light controls, firm ride and the revvy petrol unit make it easy to drive quickly, and the handling is responsive but predictable even on the twistiest of roads. While the A3 Cabriolet doesn’t offer the same dynamic driving experience as a true sports roadster, it matches enthusiasm and tractability in equal measure.

Audi, always keen to push the premium nature of its products, sees the A3 Cabriolet more as a rival for the BMW 1 Series Convertible and Volkswagen Eos than any of the less expensive topless models such as the Focus CC and Astra TwinTop.

Decent specification, particularly for the S Line model, reflects that, with 18in wheels, part-leather interior, aluminium trim and the option of a six-speed DSG gearbox to replace the six-speed manual.