Bad news for Caddy fans, as the latest word is that Cadillac will not build a coupe-convertible version of their classy CTS coupe.

This is really odd, as coupe-convertibles from other luxury carmakers are hot items. To make matters worse, Cadillac's explanation as to why the decision, does nothing but raise more speculation and more questions.

"We're pleased to be the subject of speculation. Maybe that's a sign that the CTS has struck a chord with some folks. This issue of a convertible is one of the very rare times where we decline the offer to comment.," states Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell.

Here's Inside Line's take: Failure To Launch: Cadillac CTS Coupe Convertible

Images and info on the 2009 Ferrari California are now available. Here are details from the press release:
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The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most demanding of owners in term of its superb vehicle dynamics and driving pleasure. The new model will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top. Both chassis and bodywork are aluminium, in line with the rest of the current range. The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque's history in the mid-front position.

In line with Ferrari tradition, the new model also features several innovations. Apart from its folding hard top, these include the original 2+ concept which guarantees exceptional versatility of use in the rear of the car. The California's 4,300 cc V8 engine features direct fuel injection and a "flat" crankshaft. It generates 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.

As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car's performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2). The comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. The Ferrari California is also equipped with the exclusive F1-Trac traction control system which made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano and has been further honed to suit the typical driving conditions expected for this new GT. Brembo brakes featuring carbon-ceramic material disks as standard guarantee superbly efficient braking.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Official Name of Ferrari GT Revealed, Evoking Sun, Sand and Surf

I remember very clearly the very first Mustang I ever saw in person. It belonged to Joe Benezra, who was the older brother to one of my high school buddies. Joe, who was maybe a year or two out of high school, swung by the high school one day to show off his new ride. It was a bright orange Mustang convertible, with a pathetic (by today's standards) 105 hp 6-cylinder engine, three-on-the-floor, and skinny whitewall tires with full wheel covers. As I recall, the Mustang had just gone on sale—like just a few days before! So Joe was clearly the first on the block to own on. Heck, he was probably the first in our small town to own one.

The most impressive thing to me about Joe's Mustang was not the looks (pretty good) or the specs (not so pretty good, as it was based on the wimpy Ford Falcon chassis). Nope, what stood out to this testosterone-charged youth was the fact that it was an absolute chick magnet—like I had never seen before! Now Joe did okay with the ladies on his own, but boy that Mustang sure must have driven up his batting average to MVP status.

So fast-forward to spring of 2008, and Ford has just built Mustang number 9,000,000. It's still a chick magnet—but the specs sure have improved! As to Joe? Who knows, but I bet it's safe to say that he hasn't aged so gracefully.

From Ford's Press Release: Ford Motor Company announced today it has built its 9 millionth Mustang. The GT Convertible Mustang is heading west to be delivered to a dealership in Iowa.

The Ford Mustang, approaching its 45th anniversary on April 17th, 2009, is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. Today, one of every two sports cars sold in America is a Ford Mustang. The Mustang is also Ford Motor Company’s longest-running nameplate. Mustang was introduced on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair.

Mustang sales hit an astounding 419,000 in its first 12 months on the market, and topped the 1-million mark in the first two years, shattering the sales records of any single model in the history of the automobile. Mustang leads the nearly $1-billion aftermarket parts and accessories industry as the most personalized vehicle of all time, and has been recognized by SEMA as the most accessory-friendly new vehicle.

The 2009 Mustang offers a Glass Roof option and a new Warriors in Pink Package, available this summer.

Here's a variant of the second-generation, Europe-only Ford Focus that we needn't bother coveting: the restyled 2009 Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet. For starters, we already have a better version of this hardtop convertible called the Volvo C70, and even it is not particularly inspiring to drive.

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Here we have another entry-level convertible from a luxury manufacturer. This time, Audi enters the market with the 2008 A3 Cabriolet.

Its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 is capable of 200 horsepower. It has a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and a sleek folding fabric top.

Do you think it will make it to the U.S.?

Which do you like better, the A3 or the BMW 1 Series convertible?

Read the A3 Cabriolet First Drive on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

BMW announced pricing of the 2008 M3 Coupe and Sedan and 1 Series Convertible this morning at the Detroit auto show.

The M3 coupe will start at $57,275 and the sedan at $54,575.

Launching in 128i and 135i guises, the 1 Series Convertible will start at $33,875 and $39,875, respectively.

They arrive at dealers in March of this year. -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor, Inside Line

Perhaps the most striking thing about the 2009 BMW 135i convertible on the BMW stand in Detroit is that the car really is quite striking. It has none of the ungainly angles of the 1 Series coupe.



We saw a 128i convertible with its top raised, and it turned out to be the optional top with metallic fibers woven into the cloth. Although the lights of an auto show are invariably harsh, the top looked almost like vinyl from a distance. If we bought a 1 Series convertible, we wouldn't choose it.



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Although the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK was unveiled last month in Germany, it got its official auto show debut today in Detroit. With only minor changes to the front and rear ends, it hardly drew a second glance despite some dramatic music and plenty of very proud-looking Germans giving it a hand.

As Dieter Zetsche noted during the press conference, however, the SLK gets plenty of attention at dealers as the SLK is the best-selling roadster in Mercedes' lineup. With that in mind, the SLK350 was given a boost in power along with improved efficiency. It now produces 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. The base SLK280 gets no additional power, but it, too, is more efficient.

There are some minor interior upgrades as well, like a revised instrument cluster, updated navigation system and a new three-spoke steering wheel. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Edmunds Inside Line

No press conference, no announcements, no nothing. Apparently Lexus thinks the LF-A Roadster is interesting enough to stand on its own. There’s no doubt there’s something to it, but we’re not quite sure what that something is just yet.





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Looks like the upcoming facelift for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL is almost complete. Our spy shooters caught this prototype with virtually no disguise although they do admit to removing a few pieces of black tape with some help from Photoshop. As expected, this SL will get a few minor styling changes up front like new lights, a one bar grille and a more aggressive air dam. The quarter panel vents now look like those used on the SLR supercar while the rear end gets a slightly revised lower valance. Don’t expect big changes under the hood either, as Mercedes-Benz will most likely continue with the SL550, SL600 and SL65 models for 2009. The current SL55 AMG will finally get replaced by a new SL63 AMG, as the current roadster is one of the last remaining supercharged AMGs.