*Thinking*

Alas, let's assume the 6th Gen Camaro is based on Alpha. Is it possible for the same (or roughly the same) structure to accomodate both droptop styles? Hardtop for Caddy Alpha and ragtop for Chevy Alpha? Would this even make financial sense?

 

Absolutely it could accomodate both designs. The structural requirements to add rigidity to the frame are the same for either design. The only difference is the added weight of the roof. Additionally, a hardtop convertible would in theory be stronger (and safer) than a soft-top when the top is in the closed position.

Besides, I have only heard one person claim the 6th Gen Camaro will be based on Alpha. No one from GM has openly said it would be.

 

Another vote for soft top for the vert. If you want a hardtop, buy a coupe with a sunroof. Hard top convertables always look awkward with the top up.

 

And here I was thinking that soft top owners aren't real car enthusiasts, just show ponies.

Seriously, nothing articulates technology and overall quality like a hardtop.

Bentley and Rolls continue with ragtops because the Brits never discovered true technology... it's really a nostalgic link to the glory years of the past for those marques' owners. Btw, do Bentley and Rolls owners even know how to use computers?

 

You are kidding, right? You think the (VW-owned) Bentley cars, especially the Continental, are not high-tech? Rolls Royce (owned by BMW)?

Techno-gadgetry, maybe. Sadly, the unknowing masses may in fact think that hardtops are "better", despite their many drawbacks / compromises, because of the image. Sort of like a big, heavy, small displacement DOHC engine vs. a small, light, big displacement OHV engine. But if German techno-whiz Audi can get away with going soft on their latest (in addition to the S5, what sort of top does the new R8 Spyder use? I think it is soft, but I'm not certain), I think Caddy is in decent company. Weight reduction is going to be a differentiator in coming years. THAT will say technology too.

As to the previous question, the only two vehicles I can think of that offer a soft top and folding hard top option are the Miata (I mentioned above) and the current Chrysler Sebring. Of course, in the case of the 4 seater Sebring, the soft top mechanism was compromised to be somewhat common with the more complex hard top. So the car got a thicker profile and whatever other packaging compromises were needed to accommodate the hard top, while still using a soft top in the lower trim levels. This is silly to me.

Again, on a small two seater, it seems possible to make a hard top that is not overly intrusive or heavy (but still heavier than soft). Even the Chevy SSR had a trick hardtop that fit into a relatively small space between the "bed" and the cabin. But when looking at 2+2 / 4 seaters, the extra length required to cover the rear seats adds a very non-trivial amount of mass and size to the top, which makes stowing it that much more complicated.

By the way, and I know you were teasing PoSSum, I'm sure there are scores of (Vette, Viper, Audi TT, BMW Z4, Z8 & M3, Mustang GT, Camaro Z28, Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, Ferrari 360 & 430, Porsche Boxster & 911, etc. etc.) owners who would be irritated at the notion that they are not enthusiasts.

Sure, cars like the Pontiac G6, Toyota Solara, Chrysler Sebring, PT Cruiser, etc. aren't exactly associated with enthusiasts. But don't forget, that all the ORIGINAL true sports cars were (and still are) convertibles / roadsters. With soft tops.

Maybe someday, carbon fiber (or whatever) and other developments will allow hardtops to be as light and nearly as packageable as a good softtop. But based on every hardtop thus far, we aren't there yet.

Let the ATS have a softtop and spend the money on powertrain advancements, light weight, and other more substantive tech features.

 

Hardtop or soft top, honestly I don't care. Generally speaking, I prefer the simpler solution which would be a soft top. As far as I'm concerned, Art's the convertible man here. If he says soft top, then I say soft top.

BTW, The ATS will be available for purchase in slightly more than two years from now. We should start seeing mules soon.

 

Here is the ATS-convertible's competition:




Need I say more?

 

What about the Audi S5? How about Mercedes new 4 seater (E-class based)? Both use soft tops.

Plus, I'd be quite happy to see a Caddy competitor come in 400-500 lbs LIGHTER than the benchmark 3 Series, instead of being on the portly side (like the current CTS is relative to others in its price class).



The G37 is a hardtop, too. And it, too, is a porky little piggy, and it has the added distinction of losing almost all of its trunk space when the top is down. I think the Lexus I-Series did better on trunk space, but it has a joke of a rear profile to reach that goal. Talk about an awkwardly styled car from the doors back. Ferrari's California has the same problem!

 

That'd be nice...

 

IDK A twin-turbo V6 ATS hard-top convertible might just make me forget about Camaro.




OK, I said "might"...

 

Oh, you don't trust me now?

 

 

Not that I would be interested either way, but I prefer the simpler, easier packaged soft top.

 

Aren't you the one who always poo-poos sedans over coupes because coupes are sportier? Or am I thinking of someone else?

I'd think most enthusiasts would prefer the lighter option, with all the benefits that come with it (better handling / braking, acceleration, fuel efficiency, etc.).

 

Sure I trust you. I'm just trying to bait you into revealing more info.