BMW and Maybach brilliantly show the differences between roadster and cabriolet

Concepts Z4 and Vision 6 debut at Pebble Beach showing how broad can the convertible-car spectrum be

Danillo Almeida
Aug 23, 2017 · 4 min read
Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet
BMW Concept Z4

Car categories have become a tricky entity to figure. At first, they were few and very different: models with open roof were convertibles, those with a third box were sedans, and so on. Over the past few decades, the number of models available increased so much that industry and press resorted to the creation of new definitions. Since that easily confounds most people, it can be enlightening to take some time and give some models a more attentive look.

In the 1970s, automobiles with horizontal roofline and three windows on each side could be station wagons and nothing else. Today, the same basic definition also fits SUVs, minivans, crossovers and even some hatchbacks — in other words, the larger quantity of categories reduced the gaps between them and made each one more difficult to define. Both the models mentioned in this article are convertibles, but have characteristics which make them highly different.

The aforementioned German manufacturers released concept cars which give hints of their current plans for this particular category. The Concept Z4 anticipates the upcoming generation of BMW’s midsize roadster, which exists since 2002 and succeeded the Z3. Mercedes-Benz, in turn, presented the cabriolet version of the Vision 6 concept, which was revealed in coupé guise last year through the Maybach brand. Notice that one was described as “roadster” and the other as “cabriolet”.

Roadsters are essentially sporty. Their long hoods put the engine in evidence, their short length makes maneuvering easy, and their seats are only two and lie right in front of the rear axle, in order to better distribute the weight. Such elements compose a silhouette which attracts all the looks merely for being shorter and wider than urban models. Some roadsters, like the Mazda Miata, feature discreet style because they’re focused on being pleasant to drive. The Z4, on the other hand, belongs to the group to which breath-taking is very important as well.

Cabriolets are a whole different breed. They are meant to be flashy; their typical buyer wants to contemplate the scenery while being contemplated by others. They are longer, wider and have no sporty pretensions at all, despite having the engines for such — some even seat four. The latest true example of that is Mercedes-Benz’s concoction, which honors the Maybach surname through features such as the imponent grille and the boat-like rear. It was made to look just as good with the removable roof, whereas the Z4 doesn’t even appear with it.

One can say both roadsters and cabriolets are convertible cars which turn out to be stylish and to offer immense amounts of driving pleasure, but each group does so in a unique way. The former is aggressive and focuses on performance, while the latter wants you to cruise around surrounded by luxury. In order to be properly executed, these purposes often influence the cars’ dimensions, powertrain options, dynamic behavior and even items which seem secondary at first, such as the design of the removable roof.

As with all car categories, the root of all those differences is making each kind of vehicle send a particular message. The group of customers to which roadsters appeal has nothing to do with that of cabriolets, and the same happens with station wagons and minivans, sedans and four-door coupés… and SUVs and crossovers, despite the insistence of many people to label both as the same thing. Being sensitive to those subtleties is the key to truly comprehend the work manufacturers put into their cars and, as a consequence, to choose the car which better suits your needs and satisfies your wishes.

Car Design Chronicles

Automotive styling broken down into short and simple posts, each one based on a recent event of the industry

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Danillo Almeida

Written by

Writer and future engineer striving to work with car design. If you like cars but not the stereotypes that surround them, give my articles a try.

Car Design Chronicles

Automotive styling broken down into short and simple posts, each one based on a recent event of the industry

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