Trio joins the drop-top rush

NISSAN, Volkswagen and Ford have joined the drop-top rush with the reveal of new "wind in the hair" models.

Being shown at Paris this month is the Micra C+C - which stands for Coupe + Convertible - complete with a steel folding roof in the style of the Mercedes-Benz SLK and Peugeot 206CC.

The C+C will share centre stage on the Nissan stand with the new Micra compact car, which is currently under consideration for Australian sale.

But we'll have to wait until January's Detroit motor show for the "in-the-metal" unveiling of the long-awaited Beetle cabriolet, before it goes on sale in Australia in the middle of 2003.

A cloth-roofed four-seater with a glass rear window, the Beetle cabrio is designed to retain high torsional rigidity and includes a rollover protection system that deploys automatically in an accident.

The Beetle Cabriolet will be available in Germany with a choice of four engines, but Australia will only get a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The Beetle's top is opened using a one-hand release mechanism or there is an optional electro-hydraulic system which opens and closes at the press of a button, taking only 13 seconds each way.

Volkswagen Group Australia wants to keep pricing under $40,000.

The third drop-top revealed recently is the Ford Streetka. Despite the sponsorship association with Australia's own Kylie Minogue, Ford Australia has ruled out the spunky two-seater on the grounds of cost.

The Streetka makes its international debut at Paris this month and goes on sale in Europe early in 2003. It is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.