{"id":243434,"date":"2023-05-23T17:04:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T21:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=243434"},"modified":"2023-05-23T17:04:29","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T21:04:29","slug":"electrified-ragtops-these-evs-are-going-topless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2023\/05\/electrified-ragtops-these-evs-are-going-topless\/","title":{"rendered":"Electrified Ragtops \u2014 These EVs Are Going Topless"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As warm weather finally descends across the country, many motorists are looking to go alfresco. But what happens as the auto industry accelerates its shift to electric propulsion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
CEO Elon Musk said the second-generation Roadster, when it comes out, will be the best sports car in the world.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cheating the wind is an essential element in EV design. Drag is the enemy of both range and performance. And rolling back the top on a convertible can seriously impact both. Nonetheless, there are plenty of buyers who don\u2019t want to give up the feeling of wind in their hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surprising number of brands are responding with both ragtop and removable top designs. Here are some of the most significant ones now on the market or set to arrive soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla Roadster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The original Roadster was Tesla\u2019s first product line and holds a special place in the hearts of many brand loyalists \u2014 as well as CEO Elon Musk. He announced the second-generation Roadster in 2017 but many observers have been questioning whether it\u2019s the automotive equivalent of vaporware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For his part, Musk assured investors and Tesla fans during the company\u2019s recent earnings webcast the Roadster really is on its way to market. But it\u2019s again been pushed back, with production not expected to begin until 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Barra<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Musk described the open-top two-seater as the \u201ccherry on the icing on the cake\u201d for Tesla. He\u2019s promised that it would be the fastest car in the world, with a sub-2-second 0-60 launch \u2014 though the new Rimac Nivera could be hard to beat<\/a><\/span><\/strong> considering it hit 60 in a recent record run at 1.74 seconds. If and when it does reach production, look for a price of at least $200,000, with the initial, limited-run Tesla Roadster Founder\u2019s Series at $250,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

General Motors is \u201con a path to an all-electric future,\u201d according to CEO Mary Barra, and she\u2019s not making any exceptions for the vehicle often known as \u201cAmerica\u2019s sports car.\u201d Chevy is now readying the first-ever Corvette hybrid, the E-Ray offering some of the nameplate\u2019s best-ever power and performance. But an all-electric \u2018Vette is in the works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expected to launch in 2025 or soon after at a price of at least $100,000, there will, of course, be a classic hardtop version of the battery-powered Chevrolet Corvette. The bow-tie brand has yet to confirm that there will be a ragtop version, as well, but considering convertibles accounted for 48% of total \u2018Vette sales last year, it\u2019s considered a highly likely option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering the power and performance that competing manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini will make from their EVs, it\u2019s expected that the all-electric versions of the Chevrolet Corvette will have to deliver similarly exotic numbers. Few would be surprised if the Detroit sports car comes in near \u2014 and even above \u2014 1,000 horsepower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Porsche
The Porsche 718 Boxster comes a ragtop already \u2014 now we need the electric motors.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Porsche Boxster<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iconic German brand scored a solid hit with its first all-electric model, the Taycan. And it isn\u2019t stopping there, with a battery-powered version of the Macan crossover to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe future of Porsche is electric,\u201d CEO Oliver Blume said last year and, among the projects to follow, look for a battery-powered version of the 718 Boxster roadster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set to debut in 2025, test mules have already been spotted on public roads. As has been the case with other vehicles switched to EV power, those prototypes have adopted longer wheelbases. Among other things, that should provide more space for the big battery pack that would be needed to deliver acceptable range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polestar 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Polestar
The Polestar 6 roadster is expected to arrive in 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Volvo\u2019s EV spinoff brand has made performance a high priority and it\u2019s promising plenty for the production version of its Precept concept. “The Polestar 2,\u201d it says, \u201cwill take the design language established by Polestar Precept further, creating a new premium performance paradigm as an all-electric roadster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept debuted at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in hardtop form, but there are expectations it will be offered in an optional convertible version, as that\u2019s the true form for a roadster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The automaker has indicated the two-door model will share underpinnings with the less sporty Polestar 5 sedan, as well as its 800-volt electrical architecture. That would deliver something on the order of 871 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque from a pair of electric motors. Launch times have been estimated at somewhere just above 3 seconds 0-60. Pricing, meanwhile, is forecast around $200,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can we call these two all-electric trucks convertibles? That all depends upon your definition. They certainly come close, with removable roof panels that can be stored in the frunk, or front trunk, where a conventional motor normally would sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2022
Is it a convertible? We say yes.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In its initial launch form, the Hummer pickup was offered with a three-motor drivetrain delivering 1,000 hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. And in WTF, er, \u201cWatts to Freedom,\u201d mode, this 9,000-lb behemoth can hit 60 in barely 3 seconds, while towing up to 7,500 pounds. The SUV is just making its way into GMC showrooms. And we\u2019ll see less powerful versions of both Hummer models to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At launch, the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup came in at $110,295<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, after factoring in the $1,595 destination fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeep Recon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The off-road brand\u2019s first all-electric model<\/a><\/span><\/strong> is getting close to production, with a limited supply expected to roll into showrooms by late 2023. Pricing should start around $60,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not a classic convertible but owners will go even more alfresco, if you will, since Recon not only features a power-opening top that can be operated with a single button press, but its doors also can be removed, much like the similarly sized Jeep Wrangler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jeep
Recon will feature a removable roof and doors, get an electric version of the brand\u2019s Selec-Terrain system and more.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Like the Wrangler, the new Jeep Recon will be designed to handle the most serious of off-road trails, including the iconic Rubicon Trail in California. That will mean features like electronically lockable axles, oversized off-road tires and an EV version of Jeep\u2019s Selec-Terrain traction system that can be set to compensate for different conditions, such as \u201cMud and Ruts\u201d or \u201cIce and Snow.\u201d And, officials promise, it will have enough power to get there and then return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fisker Ocean<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first all-electric model developed by Danish designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker will be an SUV, as one would expect in today\u2019s market. But it will boast a feature designed to appeal to convertible fans. Using Ocean\u2019s \u201cCalifornia Mode,\u201d a driver simply will need to press a button to have the top and windows roll open. That includes the rear glass, or \u201cDoggie Window,\u201d as Fisker prefers to call it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ocean will be offered in a variety of configurations, including all- and front-wheel-drive models. At the top end, it will make as much as 550 hp and be capable of a 3.6-second launch from 0 to 60. Top range is EPA-estimated at 350 miles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With prices starting just under $38,000, sales were supposed to launch early this year. But while a small number of Fisker Ocean models have been delivered in the company founder\u2019s home of Denmark, it\u2019s unclear when U.S. sales will commence. The company is still looking to do so this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More to come<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Genesis
Genesis offered some more insight into what its all-electric future may look like with the X Convertible Concept in Los Angeles.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Still more EV convertibles appear to be coming to the U.S. during the next few years. These are expected to include products from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n