German offensive
Autoweek has been around for 35 years, so more often than in other years we browse through old songs. In number 24 of the first year, so 1990, we come across several convertible sets at a preview. That genre is still very popular. There appears to be so much demand to open open that the desire for more open models is growing every day, we write 35 years ago. The German brands will open all registers. Various convertible sets on which we look ahead actually in production, but other examples never go beyond one production copy.
Looks good, that representation of the still brand new BMW 8 series. The Bordeauxrode paintwork in combination with the cream -colored interior of the illustration will still bring many convertible enthusiasts to rods. It is a color combination that many convertible man goes well. BMW wants to tackle the Mercedes SL with this open car. And that an open version can be made so quickly comes – and we quote – “because BMW has already taken a convertible into account when construction of the first 8 series.” But an 8-series Cabriolet is not coming. One prototype has been built.
This also applies to the pre -reflected BMW M5 Cabrio with which the Mercedes C124, the convertible version of the W124, must be referred to the second plan. Not half a work with a 525i or so, no, it immediately becomes a convertible with an executioner of an engine. That it is not a big thumbsuikerij that Autoweek writes about in 1990 is also evident from the fact that a BMW M5 Cabrio prototype was ultimately built. That is therefore a two-door, a variant that did not exist as a coupé of the BMW 5 series E34. On the pages we also see a 3-series Cabriolet, based on the E36. However, it will take another three years in that year.
Volkswagen: a Golf III convertible, not a corrado convertible
What the Volkswagen Golf III will look like is not yet known in June 1990. So we see a pretty slick open version of the Golf III that would debut more than a year later. It is such a typical illustration where it all looks a bit nicer than the final product. The draftsman expects the successor to the Golf I Cabriolet, which you can still get new in 1990 (after all, the Golf II was never there as a convertible) will not get a roll bracket. Ai, the Golf III Cabriolet would eventually become such a strawberry basket.
The Corrado Cabriolet looks pretty good. Karmann, builder of the Golf Cabrio, the Scirocco and the Corrado tries to convince Wolfsburg that such an open version of the sporty top model of Volkswagen must come. They even build a prototype, but VW does not dare. You can read how that is all of you in this article.
Opel has never put the saw in Manta A and B, but in successor Calibra that has to happen, writes AutoWeek in 1990. Maybe it will be on the IAA in 1991. But Opel is not in a hurry, editor Mario Prinsen reports. Just as Karmann builds a prototype of the Open Corrado, the Finnish Valmet, where the Opel Calibra is built next to the Saab 900 Cabriolet, tries to make Opel nice for an open version of the coupé on a vectra base. But in the end it is not possible to convince Rüsselsheim. Calibra Cabriolet, it had pretty good. The Astra Cabriolet as a successor to the Kadett Cabrio will of course come. And that also applies to the Audi Cabriolet, which will debut the following year. Audi does not have that much experience with open cars at that time. And if it wants to participate seriously with Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it will of course need such a model. It will be the Audi Coupé based on the 80, which then serves as a basis for the Audi Cabriolet. A concept of this was already shown at the 1989 IAA Autoshow in Frankfurt. Of course, Ford also rolls into the showrooms from the brand new Ford Escort. After all, it was also there of the third and fourth generation Escort.
German Offensive
AutoWeek Has Been Around for 35 years, so even more or than in other years, we leave through old issues. In Issue 24 of the First Year, 1990, We Come Across A Preview of Several Convertibles. That genre is still very popular. There appears to be so much demand for open driving that the desire for more open models is growing by the day, we wrote 35 years ago. The German Brands Will Pull Out All the stops. Several Convertibles That We Preview Actual Go Into Production, But Other Examples Never Make It Past One Production Copy.
Looks good, that representation of the then brand-new BMW 8-series. The Burgundy Paintwork in Combination with the Cream-Colored Interior of the Illustration Will Still Many A Convertible Enthusiast. It is a color combination that many convertible fans love. BMW Wants To Take On The Mercedes SL With This Open Car. And the fact that an open version can be made so quickly is – and we quote – ‘Because bmw already tok a convertible into account when constructing the first 8 -series’. But an 8-series Convertible Never Arrives. Only one prototype was built.
That also applies to the foreshadowed bmw m5 convertible with which the mercedes c124, the convertible version of the w124, must be relegated to the background. No half measures with a 525i or Something, no, it immediately Becomes a convertible with a beast or an engine. The Fact That Autoweek is not Writing about Wishful Thinking In 1990 is also evident from the fact that a bmw m5 convertible prototype was ultimately build. So that is a two-through, a variant that did not exist as a coupé in the bmw 5-series e34 either. On the pages we also see a 3-series convertible, based on the e36. However, that will take another three years to arrive that year.
Volkswagen: A Golf III Cabrio, But No Corrado Cabrio
What the Volkswagen Golf III Will Look Like is not Yet Known in June 1990. So we see a pretty slick open version of the golf III that would be debut more than a year later. It is Such A Typical Illustration Where Everything Looks Just A Little More Beautiful Than The Final Product. The Drafttsman Expects That the Successor To The Golf I Cabriolet, which you can still get new in 1990 (The Golf II was never avia -up as a convertible), will not have a roll bar. Oh, The Golf III Cabriolet would be possible Become a Kind or Strawberry Basket Again.
The Corrado Cabriolet Looks Pretty Good. Karmann, Builder of the Golf Cabrio, The Scirocco and the Corrado, is Trying to Convince Wolfsburg That Such An Open Version of Volkswagen’s Sporty Top Model Should Come. They just build a prototype, but vw dosn’tn’t dare. You can read all about it in this article.
Opel Never SAED THE MANTA A AND B, But That Has to Happen in Successor Calibra, Autoweek Writes in 1990. Maybe It Will Be At The IAA in 1991. But Opel is in No Hurry, Reports Editor Mario Prinsen. Just as Karmann builds a prototype of the open Corrado, Finnish Valmet, Where the Opel Calibra is Built Alongside The Saab 900 Cabriolet, Tries To Make Opel Keen on an Open Version of the Coupé Based on the Vectra. But Rüsselsheim Ultimately Fails to Convince. Calibra Cabriolet, It would have sounded pretty good. The Astra Cabriolet as Successor to the Kadett Cabrio Will of Course Arrive. And that also applies to the audi cabriolet, which will be debut the following year. Audi does not yet have that much experience with open cars. And if it was to seriously compete with Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it naturally needs such a model. It will be the audi coupé based on the 80, which in Turn Serves as the Basic for the Audi Cabriolet. A concept of this was Already Shown at the IAA Car Show in Frankfurt in 1989. Or Course, Ford is also Rolling A Convertible out of the brand new Ford Escort Again. After all, there was Already One of the Third and Fourth Generation Escort.