Soft-top model an offer for summer

By Russell Williamson

GENEVA: With Europe about to head into spring, the Geneva motor show offers a perfect time for carmakers to showcase their latest soft-top cars to get the customers thinking about summer fun transport.

At this year's show, three makers dropped their tops across the price and performance spectrum.

Heading the list is the new 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the second installment in the new 911 range.

Like the 911 Carrera coupe, the Cabriolet uses the new water- cooled 221kW 3.4-liter flat-six to drive the rear wheels.

The electrohydraulic soft roof retreats under a hard cover in about 20 seconds and can be actuated by either a button on the center console, the remote control key or by turning the key in the lock beyond the usual position.

To improve safety performance, the Cabriolet features two rollover bars -- normally hidden behind the rear seats -- which are actuated when a sway sensor determines a rollover is imminent.

The Cabriolet also comes with a lightweight -- 32kg -- aluminum hardtop with a built-in heated glass rear window as standard equipment for when the weather really turns.

Mercedes-Benz also used the show to preview its new four- seater CLK Convertible.

Like the hardtop CLK coupe, the Convertible will be offered with a range of engines, including a normally aspirated 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter supercharged Compressor four-cylinder power plants and the 3.2-liter V6.

The soft-top roof recedes into the trunk area and is concealed under a hard cover.

The normal trunk capacity with the roof up is 350 liters, which is reduced to a still respectable 237 liters with the top down.

The Mercedes also features an automatic rollover bar and dual front and side air bags for added occupant protection.

At the more affordable end of the open top market is the new Volkswagen Golf Cabrio.

The new Cabrio shares its stylish design with the fourth generation Golf.

Like the current Golf Cabrio, a permanent strut joins across the B-pillars and the roof folds down to be covered by a canvas tonneau.