• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible vs. 2008 Pontiac G6 Convertible Comparison Test

Almost every new convertible, with the odd exception every now and then, comes with a

Two of America's most advanced convertibles face off. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

power folding hardtop, but which company was historically responsible for the creation of this device? Was it the Japanese? Perhaps it was the Germans? If you've guessed either of these two, you'd be wrong. We Americans invented it, and were first to the market with a power operated convertible hardtop roof back in 1957. The Ford Skyliner featured a one-piece roof that detached from the body, and in a little less than a minute lowered into the trunk. Multiplex wiring, high-speed, high-powered motors and other necessities in today's convertible world didn't exist back then, and neither for that matter did the anything nearing the same level of durability testing. As such, the '57 thru '59 Skyliner was the only mass-produced power folding hardtop convertible on the market for 35 years. Oh, how far things have come ...

Nowadays, folding hardtop convertibles aren't just exclusivities to the performance coupe and high-end luxury cars as they once were. Brands

Pontiac was first to market with a four-seat folding hardtop roof - is it still the one to have? (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

such as Volvo, BMW, Lexus, Mazda and Volkswagen offer these roofs, not to mention Nissan, Opel, Renault, Peugeot, Daihatsu and others. North Americans have also gotten in on the idea, with the Cadillac XLR and the retro SSR pickup truck, not to mention the Pontiac G6 Convertible, the General's first four-seat folding hardtop convertible. For 2008, Chrysler has come to the party too, and is now offering its popular Sebring convertible in all-weather drop-top guise. Ironically, Ford is the only big three automaker that doesn't make one.

Being that folding hardtop convertibles are extravagant feats of engineering, we've assembled the top of the line versions of these two vehicles for a dueling shootout. They're both similar in that they feature four seats, powerful V6 engines, automatic gearboxes and interiors fitted with leather-trimmed seats and other goodies.

That said, which one of these two American hardtop drop-tops reigns supreme?

Page:  1  2  3  4  5  6

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo