Hot Convertibles Comparison For Summer 2001

Beach-side cruises in a stylish convertible, with hair-tousling wind sweeping in and skin-warming sun beaming, epitomizes summer for motoring enthusiasts. For people living in more temperate climes, a convertible car can offer a great escape from the stresses of a workaday life, transforming even mind-numbing commutes into anticipated journeys.

At Motor Trend, we've driven and tested numerous appealing drop-tops available for open-air motoring, ranging from the conservative-and-affordable up to the luxurious-and-indulgent -- and we were asked to share some of the hottest examples with NBC's Weekend Today show. Before rolling vehicles out for the cameras, it's important to set the stage for the standout open-air drivers.

While convertible models carry a price penalty for the folding top, gone are the days when having such cars meant making considerable sacrifices. It used to be that there was a hefty performance penalty for removing a major structural element, replacing it with a heavy, folding mechanism. The results were often a flexible chassis that compromised handling and power-sapping weight that exacted a toll on acceleration.

The latest convertibles are well-designed, well-executed fun machines that minimize the compromises and seek to enhance the sun-worshipping lifestyle. These enjoyable cars are made possible by lighter, more-efficient mechanisms, ever-more-powerful engines, and increasingly solid automotive platforms designed from the start to support a topless configuration.

Let's take a closer look at the new models Motor Trend highlighted on the Weekend Today show, including a couple so fresh they haven't even reached the market yet!