- by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne
Keeping the sunny side up
06 March 2003: GENEVA MOTOR SHOW This is the time of year that we rarely get the chance to leave the brolly and the raincoat behind, but that doesn't stop car manufacturers from continuing with the rise and rise of the reborn cabriolet scene.
At Geneva this year one would be forgiven for believing that global warming is resulting in cloudless skies all over Europe, such is the number of soft and retracting hard-tops on view. And the thing is, they are available in every size and price bracket.
Top of the heap in its segment has always been the Saab 9-3, the vast bulk of production going to the US. This week saw the latest in that model, based now on the sport saloon introduced last year and built on the GM Epsilon platform. Therefore, like the saloon, it is available in an engine range from 175-210bhp, and there are Aero high-spec versions. A neat model on view was one tricked out for carrying those skies that are so essential in hot countries!
At the absolute other end of the scale, the little Citroen Pluriel - coming to Ireland this summer - was selected as the Cabriolet of the 2003 Geneva Show (top picture). A real sweetheart based on the C3, it has a number of amazing permutations and comes with 75bhp and 110bhp power options.
Not particularly different externally, but with some important engineering changes, the Audi TT Cabrio attracted considerable interest. It now has a 3.2-litre V6 option and also an intriguing double-clutch sequential automatic gearbox which is said to be extraordinarily smooth in changes according to colleagues who have driven it.
The Peugeot 307cc, shown in Paris in concept form, made its production debut in Geneva, and must be in the running for some accolade as the most beautiful classic cabrio ever. Apart from the fact that it is a full four-seater, and has surprisingly generous boot space for its design, it has the potential to be very pokey with its 180hp 2-litre power.
Also getting back into the cabrio business is the Renault Megane, this time as a coupe-cabriolet in the II series. We didn't see it with the roof open, but the car has some of the distinctive styling elements of the hatchback, without, of course, the unnerving-to-some rear window shape. Power options are 115 and 136bhp.
Opulent as always, the latest Mercedes-Benz CLK is also a full 4-seater and has a range of engines from 163-367bhp. The new version will have the same problem as the outgoing car - too many customers having to wait for one of the world's really desirable cars.
In Paris, Kylie Minogue launched the sweet Streetka, and as the time comes for its introduction to a number of markets - including Ireland - it featured strongly on the Ford stand at Geneva. But the hard-top version also made an appearance (below), and could take the place of the late Puma if the right power is provided.
There were others out there in Geneva which could allow the owners to go topless. But it has just started to rain.
©2003 irishcar.com