Convertible EV replacement for XK/F-type/Merc SL

[ShortBeardy]

EVs such as the Tesla Model S already offer adequate performance and range and a widespread charging network. However, my impression is that the market for a convertible touring / road tripping car is very much a niche market opportunity for any manufacturer. Maybe I could wait a year and one would be available (in the US), but maybe it would 5+ years, in which case I should go buy an F-type for this application until such time as a suitable EV becomes available>
Thoughts?

[ian_c_uk]

I think the MG Cyberster is what you are looking for. It’s bigger than I expected, and initial road tests suggest it’s more of a GT than sports car.

[TheDeuce]

The F-type is a sports car really, you can use it as a tourer but travel light!

You'd be better with an M6 convertible or similar I'd have thought.

Or wait just another decade or two for Elon to finally shunt out the Tesla Roadster...

[ZesPak]

Friend of mine (business owner) said he'd buy an electric F-type equivalent in a heartbeat.

I think for now the overlap between people looking for an interesting two-seater and people looking for an EV isn't big enough.

Polestar 6 looks very good but it looks to be huge and I guess will be over 100k if it ever comes to be in 2026.
The MG Cyberster starts at 55k and orders are open with delivery set for December, I think it looks great and at that price I'd love to have a drive in it.

[TheDeuce]

My solution was an i4 M50. The roof doesn't come down, but your hair still stands on end of you push it

It's actually more of a GT than an M car, despite being badged as the latter. It's a very quick, very good GT car though..

[cerb4.5lee]

ZesPak said:

The MG Cyberster starts at 55k and orders are open with delivery set for December, I think it looks great and at that price I'd love to have a drive in it.

I'm not really an EV fanboy, but I'd also like a go in the Cyberster to see what it is like.

[TheDeuce]

cerb4.5lee said:

ZesPak said:

The MG Cyberster starts at 55k and orders are open with delivery set for December, I think it looks great and at that price I'd love to have a drive in it.

I'm not really an EV fanboy, but I'd also like a go in the Cyberster to see what it is like.

You keep repeating you're not an EV fan whilst also being interested in having a go!!

Have you booked that Taycan test drive yet...?

If you lived near me (Stamford), I'd give you my car for an hour.

[ShortBeardy]

I'm only interested in a convertible. The MG Cyberster is not coming to the US (allegedly), and if I'm honest I'd rather not buy from China. Yes, an F type is a bit limited in space for touring but I'm only citing it as an example of one of the current ICE options.

My assumption is that the big markets for EVs are commuter cars, family cars, SUV, pickups etc and the potential sales numbers for a two seat soft top are more limited and hence it is unlikely to be a high priority for manufacturers. I am curious whether others feel this is accurate.

[limpsfield]

ShortBeardy said:

My assumption is that the big markets for EVs are commuter cars, family cars, SUV, pickups etc and the potential sales numbers for a two seat soft top are more limited and hence it is unlikely to be a high priority for manufacturers. I am curious whether others feel this is accurate.

I've got an F Type convertible and a Tesla Model 3, both of which I love.

I saw the Cyberster at Goodwood last week and it is a nice looking thing.

I do struggle to see a big market for two seater soft top EVs. But am maybe looking at it through my own eyes.

My previous Boxster I did two European road trips in 2022, down to the Black Forest in Germany and Venice. That's the appeal of the sports car to me - just get in and go, and conversely a lot of the time it doesn't get driven for the boring stuff. I would think for those sort of big trips, an EV is going to impact the spontaneity of e.g. just wandering around Europe - although, if it was Tesla, charging wouldn't be an issue.

I suppose if someone just uses their convertible to pootle around locally then it is less of an issue.

But like you say, I do wonder if it is too much of a niche. I did a quick google and found this

"Over the last 14 years SMMT data shows the convertible segment is no longer a high volume selling segment. Volumes are falling significantly, from over 104,000 registrations in 2007 to under 36,193 in 2019. The 2020 year to date figure is significantly affected by the Covid-19 Lockdown."

https://glass.co.uk/news/uk/the-convertible-market...

I think EVs are wonderful for the every day white good travelling that we all do - I wouldn't go back, and with the charging infrastructure I stopped planning stops years ago and let the car figure it out.

But perhaps they don't fit well - yet - with the perceived romance of a burbly 2-seat convertible sports/GT

[Diderot]

Boxster BEV is slated for launch in 2025.

[ShortBeardy]

I think that is probably accurate Limpsfield. Unfortunately Wife#1 dislikes burning petrol, so this is an underlying impediment. Short of getting a new one, an EV is the obvious solution. Cyberster not available here in the US and since I have an aversion to suffering the immediate depreciation of new cars, there would be an additional delay until they become available used. As a tintop the Tesla Model S would work as is, but so much of the scenery in mountainous areas is up and down, a soft top is `needed'. Also, open air motoring offers a totally different experience; driving "in the environment" rather than "isolated from"... (provided front stays attached).

@Diderot - I had forgotten about that! Possibly optimal.

[paradigital]

Polestar 6 looks like an interesting proposition, but it’s not slated to release until 2026.

I could combine my F33 440i and Tesla Model 3 Performance into one vehicle.