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For those rugwearers who find the convertible Viper a bit, er, anxious at top speed, rejoice! Two years after the launch of the third-generation Viper ragtop, the all-new hardtop Coupe retains details from the original 1996 model. Despite sharing only the front fascia and fenders, hood and doors with its soft-top sibling, its "double-bubble" roof and wrap-around taillamps are historical nods to the original. The last Viper coupe was popular with club racers, and with the new one sporting the same 500/500/500 - cubic inches, horsepower and pound-feet of torque - as found in the roadster, we anticipate much of the same.
ON SALE: Fall 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: $150,000 Cdn.
FUTURE COMPETITORS: Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Ford GT
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You'll flip your lid for this Ferrari - literally. As a way to move out the last of the 575M Maranello gran turismos, on which its is based upon, the Superamerica is the first production car with a rearward rotating roof combined with electrochromic technology (this allows the driver to control the level of light entering the cockpit). Named OERevocromico' by Ferrari (which translates into "hand over the lira, Tony",) the lid electrically flips in 10 seconds. Unlike other folding hardtops, the trunk capacity remains unchanged whether open or closed. The glass rear window becomes a wind deflector when the roof is down. Very Italian, very cool.
ON SALE: Get on the waiting list now, only 500 examples expected
ESTIMATED PRICE: $300,000 U.S. (estimated)
FUTURE COMPETITORS: Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR
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For Ford dealers, it's almost 1964 all over again. With over 6,000 U.S. buyers waiting for their new 2005 Mustangs to be delivered, for Ford product planners, a ragtop Mustang was a bit of a no-brainer. With aggressive pricing for both the vee-six and vee-eight models, my advice: Get your order in now
ON SALE: Spring 2005
ESTIMATED PRICE: Expect a $3,000 premium over tintop OEStang pricing FUTURE COMPETITORS: If you can find another new vee-eight, 300-horsepower convertible for under $40K, buy it!