Photo: Aston Martin

“If a grown man drives around with the top down, he looks like the central character in an advertisement for Viagra.” Jeremy Clarkson proclaims in The Grand Tour, and rightfully so. It’s a ‘douchey’ car, yet, there still exists no alternatives to the wind-in-your-hair freedom that a convertible offers.

Turn down the roof, and enjoy cruising through the summer air. Here is a round up of the hottest convertibles in 2018 to rely on.

5 Hottest Convertibles For Summer

Photo: Rolls-Royce

2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn

The British luxury automobile maker represents the same things it did in 1925, committing itself to class, comfort, and hand-built quality despite dramatic shifts in the car-making industry. It manages to stay true to its original motto, yet keeps up with the times.

The Dawn was launched in 2015 at the Frankfurt Auto Show with the tagline “The sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built, a daring claim that most do not contend with. To match its “sexiness”, the car also has a $416,100 price tag, and that makes it even hotter. At 5,776 pounds, the Dawn is still fast going 0-60 in 4.3 seconds via its Twin-turbo DOHC aluminium 6.6 litre V-12 engine with direct injection, an eight-speed ZF automatic shift and 575 lb.-ft. of torque. The top goes up and retracts quickly and quietly with the touch of a button. Inside, the sight, smell, and feel of the “Canadel” wood paneling and leather all around adds a delightful, luxurious touch.

Photo: Ferrari

2018 Ferrari 488 Spider

Starting at $284,650 and topping out at $393,411 with options and trimmings, this speed beauty blasts from 0-60 in approximately 2.9 seconds. Equipped with a 3.9 litre, DOHC 32-valve twin-turbo V-8 engine making 661 horsepower @8000 RPM, 561 lb-ft @3000 RPM, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic shift, the Spider is state-of-the-art.

Its top takes a tardy 14 seconds to open, but compensates with the buttery purr and echoing charge of the mid-engine position behind your neck. With a large front trunk to boot, it is the perfect motor car to bring out the best in you, and a partner with.

Photo: Mazda

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

It is not the most impressive convertible at its relatively tiny build, but it is still the world’s best-selling sports mobile. Starting at around $26,000 for the soft top and $32,500 for the Refractable Fastback version, the Miata matches up to its heavy contenders with style and affordability.

Both iterations come with a 6-speed manual, available in automatic as well. Mazda also released a Brembo/BBS Recaro package this year that offers sport seats. A Miata RF Club comes fitted with standard heated seats and keyless entry for its RD models. Although the engines are only 2.0 litres making only 155 horsepower, the car is still great for the adventurous, especially on winding, twisty roads. A unique feature is the Adaptive Front Lighting System that turns the headlights as far as 15% via the steering wheel to allow for better illumination at night. It is not the big on interior space, but the trunk is relatively spacious for its size.

The 2018 MX-5 model comes in three trims – Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. The MX-5 RF retractable fastback gets two trims – Club and Grand Touring.

Photo: Jaguar

2019 Jaguar F-Type SVR Convertible

Even though Jaguar’s work on automobiles has been lacklustre over the last 10 years, the F-type is the one ride that is still praised and loved. The 2019 model is Jaguar’s most powerful, with 5.0 V8 twin vortex supercharged engines, achieving 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds, produced by the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) technical center. It starts at $64,845 for the base convertible, and $61,745 for the coupe version. There is a variety of configurations for those who want to amp up the heat.

Its most powerful and pricey trim at $126,745 is the 575-horsepower SVR that comes with a titanium exhaust, extra carbon fiber, and the ability to reach 200 miles per hour. For 2018, the car gets added LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, a backup camera and an upgraded InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. Customise the ride further with matte finishes in 18 shades for $8,500, and 20-inch wheels in a carbon-ceramic brake package for another $14,740.

Photo: Aston Martin

2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante

This 2018 Vanquish S Volante boosts Aston-Martin’s reputation for building stealthy, buttery, powerful machines. The Vanquish was first launched as a V12 at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show and was driven by James Bond in the 2002 film Die Another Day. Fast-forward 2 generations, the new Vanquish S comes with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics. It is a growly rear-wheel 5.9 litre, V-12 with 580 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque married with an 8-speed automatic transmission.  An integrated spoiler, side sills, and rear valance, as well as a new carbon fiber front splitter and quad exhaust tips ensure that the majestic stallion is heard blocks away.

At $312,950, the interior is luxurious with Strathmore enhanced grain-leather upholstery with embroidered headrets, satin chrome brightwork, and a ‘Rokona’ headliner on the convertible lid. This year, the new model comes with 20-inch 10-spoke wheels with fine gloss black accents and optional black side strake meshes, carbon mirror caps, and a carbon front grill with black mesh. The options of forged five-spoke ‘diamond turned’ wheels and painted graphic packages with seven colour choices and combos are also available to fully customise the extravagant ride.