Mercedes Drops Top

Not long ago, some observers were declaring the convertible D.O.A. But hot new products from a number of auto makers are beginning to breathe life back into the segment.

Mercedes-Benz has had a longstanding commitment to the market. Its halo SL roadster has been a fixture in the luxury convertible segment since 1957. For '04, Mercedes revamps several of its convertibles to keep the brand fresh and take advantage of the sector's growth in the U.S.

The biggest changes come in the CLK convertible line, which hit U.S. showrooms this past summer in three model configurations: base CLK320, midlevel CLK500 and top-of-the-line CLK55 AMG.

All share basic styling attributes, including a new grill featuring the Mercedes 3-pointed star in the center and a front fascia that's dominated by dual oval headlamps and closely matches that of its C-Class, CL and SL siblings.

The new CLK boasts a unique soft top, which features a frame that requires little space and allows for a substantially larger rear window.

The interior of the '04 CLK is roomier than its predecessor, with a 0.2-in. (5-mm) increase in space between the front and rear seat, a 1.73-in. (44-mm) gain in rear-seat knee room and a 0.9-in. (23 mm) hike in front-seat headroom.

With the top peeled back, the CLK manages to provide the perfect combination of fun and luxury. Among the car's most impressive attributes is improved stiffness, increased 10% over its predecessor. There's little to no cowl shake, even on imperfect roads.

CLK's powertrain offerings are world class, including the base 3.2L V-6 that produces 215 hp at 5,700 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. (310 Nm) of torque at 3,000-4,000 rpm. This engine provides more than enough power to move the car briskly along the highway or backroads.

Should V-6 power not be enough, a 5.0L V-8 is available in the CLK500. It produces 302 hp at 5,600 rpm and 339 lb.-ft. (460 Nm) of torque at 2,700-4,250 rpm.

If a 4-seat cabriolet is a little too big or a V-8 not enough power, don't fret. Mercedes now is importing a car for you, too: the SL600 roadster. Here's where luxury and power truly mesh. This 2-seat beauty is powered by a twin-turbo 5.5L V-12, producing 493 hp at 5,000 rpm and 590 lb.-ft. (800 Nm) of torque at 1,800 rpm.