Rode here with top up, got about 22 MPG running just below 80.... well the 2nd half of the trip .... 1st half was a bit higher. Had a few runs at 100+ with a blocker out front (a Charger R/T no less) about a 1/4 mile.

Thats with an A4 with 3.23 rear end and tires bumped to about 36 psi cold. If weather permits, will take another look an the way back with the top down.

No, I'm not a nuke.... just something to play around with. Besides, if I have any more close encounters of the blue light kind, I'll be worried about gas mileage because I need the money!

Allen

 

Fortunately, convertibles are not trucks!!! If this were true then, top speed, wouldn't be any different between coupes, hard tops, and converts. If you look at, say, the Corvette for instance the top speed decreases as you move from coupe, to hard top, to convert. In this case your intuition is correct, convertibles have terrible aeronynamic drag at speed with the top down.
If you recall the C5R was a coupe not a hard top, even though the ZO6 was a hard top and suppposedly there top performing car.

 

No, I don't recall. Please fill me in. Are you saying the C6R had the removable roof section? You can't be saying that. What are you saying?

 

Sorry, that was a typo. I should have said C5R. Corvettes came in three styles with the C5's. The standard coupe/convertible, and the ZO6 which was a hard top. Neither the coupe or hardtop were removable, i.e. not like the old hard tops you could get for the convertibles. The ZO6 was the top performing of the three style. Lightest, most hp, best handling. But when Chevy went racing (LeMans) they used the coupe because the high speed aerodynamics were better.

 

Okay, so you're talking about the shape (angled rear glass vs. notchback).

C5 coupes have the removable roof section. Not the whole thing, but a section of glass about 1' x 5' comes off. Similar to T-tops, but without the T bar.

I think the C5 Z06 used that roof style because it's lighter.