Convertible vehicles

Convertible Cars

May 21, 2012

Lexus LX 570 Convertible

May 26, 2012

Convertible vehicles

Newport Convertible Engineering will design and engineer your vehicles, cars and automobiles to a Convertible vehicles.

Drive with NCE’s Convertible Vehicles.

Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed limited Rolls Royce Phantom 4-door Convertible.

Convertible vehicles

Convertible vehicles are referred to that kind of vehicles that have foldable and typically retractable roof-tops. Convertibles are currently regarded as luxury vehicles all over the world. Newport Convertible Engineering is the leader in design and engineering of convertible vehicles in the world. The demands of convertible vehicles are rising as an increased number of convertibles are seen roaming the streets. There are many models offered by Newport Covertible Engineering that come out with convertible variations to the buyer’s choice. Newport Convertible Engineering Is the only Manufacture in the world which would give an options to customize your convertible top vehicle.
When you plan to make your vehicle to convertible by Newport Convertible Engineeing, you should keep in mind some facts about convertible vehicles so you can choose the right convertible style. There are two major types of convertible cars distinguishable by their type of roof-tops; one is recognized as hard-top while another is soft-top. A soft-top convertible is recognized as spider, cabrio or cabriolet as well. Besides, a hard-top is described variously as coupé convertible, retractable hard-top or coupé cabriolets.
Hard tops of convertible vehicles are made from the aluminum alloys or the same kind of steel that formulate the shape/body of the car but these are typically formulated lighter and include joints and pivots along with circuits and levers. These sorts of tops generally retract into the boot of convertible vehicles and certainly they last for long-time than that of soft tops which are made of canvas and fiber. Convertibles with hard-tops do not come out cheap because the formulating process of hard-tops is expensive and involve complex machinery. Comparatively, the soft-tops are less expensive in cost and also they do not require as much space as hard-tops while retracting. These tops usually collapse and rest bhind a back seat of convertible vehicle and typically do not include any type of complicated mechanisms.
Some Luxury convertible vehicles are featured with a pop up or fixed roll bar to defend the passengers in case of a roll-over accident. It goes without saying that most of the modern convertibles have tiny rear-windows that creates a great blind-spot. If you are superfluous watchful about your protection, you could have an option with blind-spot caution systems, Passenger side and rear-view cameras and parking sensors. All these options would be avaiable at extra cost on all convertible vehicles designed and engineered by Newport Convertible Engineering. Some extra features such as heated seat, automatic climate control, keyless start-up system, iPod and Bluetooth interface and navigation systems will make your experience of driving more comfortable.
Usually, most of the medium-size convertible vehicles are designed with Four and Six Cylinders engines while luxurious and costly models chiefly employ powerful V6 and V8 engines. Convertibles with Four and Six Cylinders are capable of achieving an excellent combination of mileage up-to a range of 20 Mpg while most of the Eight Cylinders are capable of less than 20 Mpg. Without any doubt convertible vehicles are one of your top choices when considering a pure enjoyment of driving.

Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed limited Hummer H2 Convertible.
NCE will Design & Engineer your Hummer H2 to Power top convrtible, NCE EDITION.

Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed limited Mercedes Benz G55 Convertible.
NCE will Design & Engineer your Mercedes Benz G55 to Power top convrtible, NCE EDITION.

NCE will Design & Engineer your Vehicle to Falcon Huntinig vehicle with Power top convertible, NCE EDITION.

From Wikipedia

A convertible is a type of automobile of various automobile body styles that can ‘convert’ from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle.

Roof designs vary widely, with several common characteristics. Earlier convertibles features roofs that were demountable and/or detachable. Often the roof is hinged and folds away, either into a recess behind the rear seats or into the boot or trunk of the vehicle. The roof may operate either manually or automatically via hydraulic or electrical actuators, and the roof itself may be constructed of soft or rigid material. Soft-tops are made of vinyl, canvas or other textile material, while hard-tops are made of steel, aluminum, plastic or other rigid materials.

Contemporary convertibles are known and marketed under several different terms due to the convergence of body styles over the years. A soft-top convertible may also be referred to as a cabriolet or cabrio, although two-seater soft tops often retain the name roadster, referring to their body style. Hard-tops are marketed under the terms coupé cabriolet, coupé convertible or simply retractable hardtop, while two-seaters more commonly use coupé roadster/roadster coupé.

Flexible or rigid roofs

Roof designs vary widely, but a few characteristics are common to all convertibles. Roofs are affixed to the body of the vehicle and are usually not detachable. Instead the roof is hinged and folds away, either into a recess behind the rear seats or into the boot or trunk of the vehicle. The roof may operate either manually or automatically via hydraulic or electrical actuators; the roof itself may be constructed of soft or rigid material. Soft-tops are made of vinyl, canvas or other textile material; hard-top convertibles have roofs made from steel, aluminium, carbon fibre or plastic materials.

Descriptions

Contemporary convertibles are known and marketed under several different terms due to the convergence of body styles over the years. A convertible may be described as a drop-head coupé, a cabriolet or cabrio, an open 2-seater without wind-up windows as a spyder, or spider or roadster. Retractable rigid roof (or hard-top) cars are marketed as simply retractable hardtop and French versions as coupé cabriolet or coupé convertible.

Folding textile roof

The collapsible textile roof section (of cloth or vinyl) over an articulated folding frame may include linings such as a sound-deadening layer or interior cosmetic headliner (to hide the frame) – or both – and may have electrical or electro-hydraulic mechanisms for raising the roof. The erected top secures to the windshield frame header with manual latches, semi-manual latches, or fully automatic latches. The folded convertible top is called the stack.

Cons

Convertibles offer the flexibility of an open top in trade for:

potentially reduced safety
poor break-in protection
deterioration and shrinkage of the sun-exposed textile fabric over time
diminished rear visibility, from a large roof structure, small rear window, or obstructed rear window – or all of these: e.g., Mini convertible.
generally poor structural rigidity. Contemporary engineering goes to great length to counteract the effects of removal of a car’s roof. For example, a 2007 article in the New York Times, referring to the Volkswagen Eos, reported:^[1]

To neutralize the loss of torsional rigidity inherent in any convertible, VW engineers cleverly took the basket-handle roll bar of the VW Cabrio, inverted it and placed it under the rear seat pedestal. A beefed-up windshield frame of hot-stamped ultra-high-strength steel is connected directly to the floorpan’s reinforced frame rails. Steel tubing provides more stiffness behind the doors for an extra layer of safety. Partly as a consequence, rear seat passengers have about 10 inches less shoulder room than in the smaller Rabbit.

— Jerry Garrett , New York Times

specifically poor structural rigidity, such as pronounced scuttle shake, a characteristic whereby the structural design of the bulkhead between engine and passenger compartment of a convertible suffers sufficiently poor rigidity to negatively impact ride or handling – or allow noticeable vibration, shudder or chassis-flexing into the passenger compartment.
lesser handling qualities in sports models due to lower torsional stiffness – and therefore requiring harder suspensions to achieve the equivalent roadholding, but at the expense of worse ride quality.
higher curb weight due to mass of the automatic raising mechanism, as well as the extra structural reinforcement to compensate for lesser rigidity. This invariably means weaker performance than an equivalent coupe.
In most cases, less cargo space,^[2] with some models the “trunk space is ridiculously skimpy”^[3] or almost none such as in the Volvo C70 when the hard roof is stowed.

Tonneau covers

MG TD with Tonneau cover over passenger seat and luggage well

Folding textile convertible tops often do not hide completely the mechanism of the folded top or can expose the vulnerable underside of the folded top to sun exposure and fading – in which case tonneau covers of various designs snap or secure into place to protect the folded roof and hide the mechanicals. Detachable foldable, rigid or semi-rigid covers require space-consuming storage inside the vehicle – and sometimes complicated installation from outside the stationary vehicle. Foldable vinyl and cloth covers can be prone to shrinkage, further complicating installation.

Evolution of the tonneau cover

The tonneau of a car is the rear part of an open car, usually passenger seats, other times just a luggage well. A tonneau cover protects that area when its not in use. The tonneau cover may also extend over the folded roof and an unused front passenger seat and further extend over the entire passenger compartment particularly for an open car without side-weather-protection (windows sliding down into the doors). It then provides complete weather protection for the entire passenger compartment and some sense of security to the owner.

The MKI (first generation) MGB (1963) roadster could be supplied with a foldable vinyl tonneau cover, often supported by a light detachable tube installed to span behind the seats, the cover being attached to the car with a series of twenty press fit snaps. The standard cover was a permanent vinyl or cloth roof or convertible top – fixed to a relatively complex manually erected convertible frame. Weather-proof erection required the use of those same snaps from outside the car if a tonneau cover had just been removed.

Convertibles such as the Chrysler LeBaron (c. 1988) used sleeve and groove systems to anchor a foldable vinyl tonneau cover, again installed manually from outside the car. Later textile convertibles used semi-rigid plastic tonneau covers, e.g., the first generation Audi TT and Cadillac Allanté.

Convertibles such as the fifth generation of the Cadillac Eldorado featured a detachable two-part, fully rigid, manually installed tonneau sufficiently strong to support a seated person – also known as a parade boot.

Convertibles such as the second generation Mercedes SL popularized the integral manually operated self-storing rigid tonneau cover – in its case accompanied by a separate removable hardtop. In either case, the design required manual operation from outside the stationary vehicle.

Convertibles such as first Porsche Boxster,^[4] Toyota MR2 and third generation Mazda MX5 (NC) featured Z-fold (aka zig-zag fold^[4]) tops, whereby the exterior of the neatly retracted fabric roof also protected the remaining roof from sun exposure – eliminating the aesthetic or protective need for a tonneau cover.

Convertibles such as the second generation Ford Thunderbird (1958) convertible and the fourth generation Mercedes SL popularized the complex electro-hydraulic roof mechanism that automatically secured the folded top under a rigid tonneau – button activated by a seated driver – and later more routinely available on convertibles such as the Volvo C70, Chrysler Sebring and Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.

The contemporary retractable hardtop convertible such as the Chevrolet SSR include tonneau covers that “self-store” the roof assembly.

Detachable hardtops

Convertibles such as both the first and eleventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird and the second and third generations of the Mercedes SL featured as standard or optional equipment fully rigid, manually installable hardtops – later examples including heatable rear windows. These hardtops provided acoustic insulation but also required space-consuming off-season storage – and a cumbersome two-person installation. The optional aluminum (i.e., lightweight) detachable hardtop for a Porsche Boxster weighed 51 lb (23 kg).^[4] Two current-day examples of vehicles with a detachable hardtop available are the Jeep Wrangler, and the Mazda MX-5.

Convertible windows

Side windows non-existent in open cars which may have detachable side screens, are manually or power operated glass side windows as in a saloon or sedan. Rear-windows have evolved similarly, with plastic rear-windows appearing as late as the first generation Porsche Boxster. Contemporary convertibles and retractable hardtops feature heatable glass rear windows to maximize visibility – though rear windows often can compromise visibility by their size, as with the case of the very small rear window and restricted visibility of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Plastic windows can degrade, fade, yellow and crack over time, diminishing visibility.

Windblockers

Windblockers or wind deflectors minimize noise and rushing air reaching the occupants – specifically cold air (and the noise that comes with it) rushing from behind the passengers having been forced over the windshield then returning to the natural lower-pressure zone where the passengers sit.

Mazda pioneered the windblocker with its Mazda RX7 convertible featuring an integral rigid opaque panel that folded up from behind the two seats. Current convertibles feature windblockers of various designs including detachable fold-up designs (e.g.,Toyota Solara), vertically retractable glass (e.g.,Audi TT), carefully designed minimal flaps (e.g.,Mazda Miata) – or other integrated wind controlling systems.

Mercedes and Audi currently offer a feature that routes a heating duct to the neck area of the seat on SLK, SL and A5/S5 models, marketed as the “Air Scarf”.

According to the chief engineer for the 2008 Chrysler Sebring, Jim Issner, the windblocker for the Sebring reduces “wind noise by approximately 11 to 12 decibels“.

History in the United States

Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed VW New Beetle convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Chrysler 300 Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Chrysler Cross Fire Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Dodge Challenger Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Dodge Charger Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Acura NSX Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Austin Martin Vanquish.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Toyota Prius Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Toyota FJ Cruiser Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Toyota Land Cruiser Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed GMC YUKON Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed BMW 740 4 door Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed BMW 850 Convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Bentley 4 door convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Cadillac CTS 4 door convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Cadillac STS 4 door convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Cadillac DTS 4 Door convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Cadillac Escalade convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Chevy Monte Carlo convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Hummer H2 convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Hummer H3 convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Hyundai Equus convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Hyundai Genesis convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Jaguar XJ 4 door convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Lexus sc 400 convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Lexus LS convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Lincoln Town Car convert
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mazda RX7 convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mercedes CL convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mercedes S 4 door convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mercedes G55 convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mercedes SEC convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mini cooper convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Mitsubishi EVO convertible
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Nissan 300ZX convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Poesche 928 convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Range Rover convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Rolls Royce 4 door convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Scion convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Subaru Imreza WRX convertible.
Newport Convertible engineering was first US coach builder which designed, engineered and distributed Zimmer 4 door convertible.