Convertible

Nissan just unveiled the Z Proto, a concept car that previews the next-generation Z, likely to be called the 400Z. With the Z Proto out in the open, there is all sorts of speculation as to what it could spawn. The rumor mill includes a convertible and a Nismo version, as well as the fact that it could borrow its engine from the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. A convertible version would be particularly interesting given that Nissan no longer offers such a version of the 370Z, but the Japanese company hasn’t made that decision yet.

It’s been just a week since we spotted Ferrari testing a facelifted version of the Portofino camouflaged from nose to rear, and the Italian automaker has already unveiled the revised model. It’s called the Portofino M, and it features a range of upgrades inside and out, a beefed-up V-8 engine, and a brand-new transmission. The first Ferrari to be unveiled entirely online, the Portofino M marks the return of the "M" badge. Short of Modificata, which indicates extensive updates, this badge has been used on a couple of cars in the 1990s and 2000s. Notable examples include the 575M Maranello from 2002 and the F512 M, the third iteration of the Testarossa, in 1994.

One of the most iconic luxury car brands that no longer exist, Packard was established in 1899 and disappeared in 1959, five years after it purchased the failing Studebaker Corporation. Packard rolled out its final Detroit-built cars in 1956, and the Caribbean was one of them. A 1955-model-year version was recently featured by Jay Leno’s Garage, and it’s a great reminder of how cool the Caribbean is. Not to mention how it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves nowadays.

The GTS 4.0 versions of the Porsche 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman, basically the only naturally aspirated models you can buy, are now available with a new seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission (PDK).

These gearboxes are similar to those offered in the 718 Boxster Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4. They make both models quicker from 0 to 62 mph, but they also cost £2,300, which converts to roughly $3,000 as of September 2020. Is the premium worth it? Let’s find out!

There’s no hiding from the fact that the 2020 SL is an old car. Sure, it still has some fire in its belly as far as attractiveness stands, but all its bones are old and so is the tech that gives them life.

The good news is that Mercedes-Benz knows it’s time to churn out a new-generation SL, and it’s bound to arrive in 2022. Here’s what it might look like according to this render that’s based on recent spyshots of 2022 SL test mules doing their pre-production dance.

One of the most successful racing cars ever just got a digital makeover that will make purists cover their eyes and run away screaming. We, however, decided to meet the creation with an open mind, something we advise you to do as well. That said, meet the Bugatti Type 35 that got a hefty American twist.

Back in 1987, Cadillac was looking at ways to break into the luxury cabriolet segment which at that time was ruled supreme by the Mercedes-Benz SL. Looking to blow everyone and everything out of the water, Cadillac went to Pininfarina and asked for help in the design department, promising to handle every other mechanical aspect of the vehicle.

What came out was the Allante.

The Mercedes-AMG GT R is a real looker with its long nose and swooped back cabin. Just looking at it evokes all the feelings you’d expect from a precision-built, six-figure machine that bears both the AMG and Mercedes logo. It’s an impressive car, to say the least, but what happens when you get behind the wheel of one of the 750 GT R Roadsters that will be produced? Does it still evoke that same high-end sports car feeling? Does it still feel like it’s ready for the track from the moment you sit down in the seat? Does it drive any different compared to the coupe it is based on? Well, we spent a week with the AMG GT R, and we’ve set out to answer all those questions and more.

Aston Martin just introduced an all-electric version of the DB5. Wait; what? Wasn’t the DB5 discontinued back in 1965? Yes, it was, although the company built an additional 25 chassis in 2020, but this EV is not an authentic DB5. It’s a two-thirds scale version of the iconic grand tourer. It’s called the DB5 Junior to reflect its smaller scale, and it’s being built in cooperation with The Little Car Company.

When you own a car like the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Cabriolet and you’re looking to get some aftermarket work done on it, one tuner might not be enough to give you your desired results. Take the case of this particular AMG S 63 Cabriolet that was on sale at German online car site Mobile.de. This AMG S 63 Cabriolet has been treated to aftermarket work, namely from famed Mercedes tuner Brabus and Fostla, and the result will invite plenty of stares on the road.

It’s been almost 60 years since Porsche introduced the 911 and the nameplate continues to be the epitome of the sports car market. The 911 has come a very long way since then. It’s available in a wide variety of models, now with turbocharged engines, rear- or all-wheel drive, coupe or drop-top, winged, or plain simple in appearance. The 911 has also evolved into a technology-packed machine, a trait that makes it heavier than before. The latest-generation 911 is obviously among the heaviest, and the Targa 4S model sets a new record.

In the world of Japanese kei cars, the Daihatsu Copen often gets lost in the shuffle, overshadowed by models like the Honda Beat, Suzuki Cappuccino, and yes, even the Autozam AZ-1.

The adorable two-door convertible can hold its own in kei races, and, more importantly, its highly customizable nature allows owners to go stir crazy on custom projects. There are a myriad of ways that you can customize the Copen, including, in this case, turning to Japanese tuner extraordinaire Liberty Walk with a specific requirement: turn it into a Nissan R35 GT-R.

The Aston Martin DB6 doesn’t get the love it deserves. In some ways, that’s because it succeeded the Aston Martin DB5, considered as the most iconic Aston Martin model ever made. When you’re a model that’s following a model as legendary as the DB5, expectations can be unreasonably high.

The DB6 was a great Aston Martin; it just wasn’t the DB5. Still, the DB6’s collectible status has increased over the years, in part because of how rare they are. Only 1,788 units were built over a five-year stretch, and of those 1,788 units, one unit is now available through British classic car restorer Bell Sport & Classic.

This particular model is a DB6 Volante, the drop-top version of the standard DB6. It’s more than 12 times rarer — only 140 units were ever made — than the standard coupe DB6, and while it has undergone several restorations in its lifetime, it remains in top-quality condition. Bell Sport & Classic didn’t reveal a price tag for this DB6 Volante, but prepare to spend six figures for a chance to bring home one of the rarest Aston Martin models in history.

The Maserati 3500 GT is, arguably, Maserati’s first stab at building a mass-market grand tourer that could challenge both Ferrari as well as its British peers. Many coachbuilders submitted designs to Maserati before the 3500 GT was put into series production and Pietro Frua came forth with proposals for both a fixed-head coupe as well as a convertible.

This very car was his idea of a topless 3500 GT and it is unique because, as it happened, Maserati chose Vignale’s design instead. The car is back on the auction block after previously being among the headliners at Monterey in 2017.

The Honda S2000 is one of the most desirable Japanese sports cars of its era. From its attractive looks to its peppy 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine that produced as much as 247 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque, the S22000 was as desirable as any sports roadster that hit the scene at the turn of the millennium. To this day, interest in the S2000 remains strong, in large part due to the seemingly limitless tuning possibilities it provides. Take this particular S2000, for example. It belongs to Mason Whitlow, an employee of tuning shop Holley, who bought his S2000 in standard form, only to have it upgraded into a complete monster on four wheels. It’s still a Honda S2000 in form, but everything else is entirely different. We’re not talking about a spunky 248-horsepower sports roadster anymore. This S2000 is now a 707-horsepower beast of epic proportions. At the very least, this build is a rolling advertisement, not only of Holley but, more importantly, of the many ways people have grown to love the Honda S2000.

Lexus is turning to the open seas as the inspiration behind its latest special edition model. Evoking the ambiance of a luxury marina — Lexus’ words, not mine — the Toyota-owned luxury brand is commemorating the opening of orders for the new LC Convertible by rolling out a special edition LC droptop called the Regatta Edition.

Dressed to impress, the LC Convertible Regatta Edition’s theme has roots to the origin story of the LC’s design, which Lexus described as being inspired by ocean-going yachts. It’s a saucy piece, for sure, but sadly, access to the LC Regatta Edition is going to be very difficult. Lexus didn’t say how many units of the LC Regatta Edition it plans to build, but allocations in the U.K. and Europe have completely dried up. No word yet on how many units are headed to America, or if they’re still available, to begin with.

Are you a fan of Ferraris from the 1990s and their wedge-shaped designs? Can’t afford one? Well, someone is selling a Toyota MR2 that’s been rebodied to look like an F355 GTS and it doesn’t look bad at all. And it costs $16,000, a fraction of what you can expect to pay for a used Ferrari F355 in 2020. But is it worth it?

In keeping with the reputation that it has built over time, AC Schnitzer’s program for the new Z4 Roadster M40i covers a lot of ground. From form to function, we see the tuner’s imprint on the Z4 Roadster M40i, including the addition of several aerodynamic pieces to go with a new set of wheels, an equally new custom exhaust setup, suspension upgrades, and, of course, an engine modification program that adds more power to the Z4 M40i’s already potent 335-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

All these upgrades are meant to improve the Z4 M40i’s overall appeal, and judging by this before-and-after video that AC Schnitzer provided, the upgrades are also significant in the way we see the German roadster.

The Donkervoort D8 is not everyone’s cup of tea, but those who do find the retro-styled, road-legal roadster saucy will be thrilled to know that the company’s new flagship model, the D8 GT0-JD70, has a special edition alter ego called the Bare Naked Carbon Edition. As its name so eloquently states, the Donkervoort D8 GTO-JD70 Bare Naked Carbon Edition is defined by all the bare carbon fiber that you can see all over its body. There are options on how you want your special edition D8 GTO-JD70, but all options revolve around the central carbon fiber theme of the model. Visually, the D8 GTO-JD70 Bare Naked Carbon Edition looks splendid in carbon fiber. But the model’s uniqueness is defined by more than just its aesthetic design; the use of carbon fiber also reduces the model’s overall weight, making it more sprightly than your typical range-topping D8 GTO-JD70. Only 70 units of the special edition D8 GTO-JD70 will be built. Pricing starts at €163,636.36, and that’s before taxes kick in. Over half of all units are spoken for, and, unfortunately, none of these bad boys are headed to the U.S. market.

The Ferrari 355 is widely considered to be one of the prettiest Ferraris ever and the car that effectively put the company back on track after the near-miss that was the 348. With the 355, Maranello ticked all the boxes producing a car that was fast, gorgeous to look at, and moderately affordable for a Ferrari.

In 1997, the Italians upped the ante and introduced the 355 F1 which, as the name suggests, features technology that’s trickled down from the world of Grand Prix racing. The innovation remains one of a select few to be brought onto the market by Ferrari and JayEmm On Cars gives us a glimpse of how it must’ve felt to experience this car when it was new with this vintage-looking review.

Mercedes-Benz just unveiled the beefed-up AMG GT Black Series model, its most powerful V-8 sports car to date. But the base AMG GT is also getting a bit of extra attention with a more powerful engine and some additional features and tech.

The introduction of the updated AMG GT also marks the end of the line for the AMG GT S trim, so Mercedes basically merged two entry-level models into one.

Healthy and safety guides tell you that a car missing a full-width windshield should not be driven on public roads yet here we are, looking at a gorgeous open-top Datsun from the late ’60s that, courtesy of the SR20DET inline-four is so fast it literally blows your cap off.

And then there’s the soundtrack and the fact that you’re never fully in the car because the doors are low enough so that most of your upper body is exposed to the elements. Grassroots Garage gets a taste of this automotive guillotine.