Hybrid Convertible?

http://www.hybridcars.com/discussion/discussthread.php?thread_id=56

I, too, eagerly await a hybrid convertible. My BMW 330 convertible lease ends in May, but there is still no hybrid to replace it with.

My commitment to the environment is to let my convertible go at least end and not replace it until some smart manufacturer comes out with one. They're truly missing the boat on this! After May, I'll stick with my winter car until I can buy a Better Convertible.

Yes- put in my order for a hybrid convertible...if one doesn't come along soon..maybe we need to go into business and get it started on our own!

Heck, it'd just be a nice improvement if they would at least get a hybrid with a Sunroof, let alone convertible.

I own a Honda Del Sol and I love it. Honda needs to produce a hybrid version.

if you want a convertible which is great on gas. check out the vw bugs convertible with the diesel engine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm with Bonnie! I've been wanting to trade my car in for several years but haven't because I know the minute I buy another car, Toyota will debut the Prius Convertible!

I'm almost forced to give up my dream of owning a convertable because I need and want the hybrid more. When are they going to come up with one?

I want a hybrid convertible also.. shame no one has come up with one!

I've been driving a convertible since I've had my license (25 years) and now I'm in the market for a new car....no hybrid convertible to even consider.

I have one right now: motorcycle. Seats 2, gets 70MPG in daily commute, and top is down any time :)

FINIALLY the SAAB 9-3 Hybrid Convertible. I urge all who desire this to rush a note to SAAB. I plan to!!!...and buy me one as soon as they are on the market. (I already called my local saab dealership to tell them I would purchase one the minute they are out.....AND never even owned a saab before.)

Here is the answer, if your pockets are deep enough: http://www.teslamotors.com/

I have been searching for a hybrid convertible for ages. Apparently the Saab still isn't in production. Think of it this way... you would use your a/c much less frequently, thus helping the environment. Don't you think that a hybrid convertible would be one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles? Why, oh why aren't the car companies catering to the convertible market.. Baby boomers.. duh!!

I want one

It would be great have the driving experience of a convertible while driving a car that is also eco friendly.
Car manufacturers should not force us to have to choose between having the luxury of a convertible and being green. Even if the aerodynamics of a convertible cause it to not get the same level of fuel economy compared to other hybrids it would still be better than the average convertible on the street today and an option I would like to have when spending my automobile dollars. The first one to come out with one will get my business.

I'm with you guys. I fell in love with the Saturn Sky - and planned to buy next year, but now I definitely want a hybrid. I know there are a few out there - but not affordable. Come on car manufacturers, we're ready - the demand is here so what about the supply.

I understand where you guys are coming from. There's no reason that Ford couldn't put the FEH hybrid drivetrain into a Mustang convertible or Toyota could easily come out with a hybrid Solara convertible based on the already existing Camry Hybrid.
Don't hesitate to tell your dealer or call your favorite manufacturer's hotline and let them know exactly what you want.
I recommend you tell them that you're waiting to buy a new car until they offer you what you're looking for. By waiting, you can save up your money to more easily afford a hybrid convertible. I suspect market demand will drive the price up a lot initially.
I posted the customer service hotline numbers on other threads but here they are again:

Chevrolet (800) 222-1020

Ford (800) 392-FORD (or 800-392-3673)
Ford Motor Company, Customer Relationship Center, PO Box 6248, Dearborn, Michigan 48126

Honda (800) 999-1009
Honda Automobile Customer Service, 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Mail Stop: 500 - 2N - 7D
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

Nissan (800) NISSAN-1 (or 800-647-7261)
Nissan Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 685003, Franklin TN 37068-5003

Mercedes-Benz USA (800) FOR-MERCEDES or (1-800-367-6372)
Customer Assistance Center, 3 Paragon Drive, Montvale, N.J. 07645

Mitsubishi (888) MITSU2007 (or 888-648-7820)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., PO Box 6014, Cypress, CA 90630-0014

Saturn (800) 553-6000
Customer Assistance Center , 100 Saturn Parkway, MD-371-999-S24, Spring Hill, TN 37174

Subaru of America (800) SUBARU3 (or 800-782-2783) | email
Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Plaza, P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Attn: Customer/Dealer Services

Toyota (800) 331-4331
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 19001 South Western Ave. Dept. WC11, Torrance, CA 90501

Thanks to Plug-in America for pulling these all together.

Well, in general, there has been a LOT of resistance to anything that consumes less fuel... lobbying forces attack any attempt to mandate efficiency increases, tear up emissions standards that at one point let to a half decent and affordable pure electric, etc... if, all of a sudden, efficiency (hybrid, electric, whatever) became sexy, profit margins for fuel would be harmed in the process... so yeah, it's going to be a battle to get LARGE or established auto makers to produce fun, attract AND efficient vehicles. That's no reason to give up, however.

Peugeot has a diesel hybrid coming out
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/05/08/peugeot-diesel-hybrid-307-cc-hdi...

I WANT ONE COMEONE GET WITH THEW GAME CONVERTABEL IS HOT AND WE NEED HYBIRDS CARS CONVERTABEL

I have a 325CI and I would like better gas milage, and I would like to have somthing that is good for the enviroment, but still have somthing fun to drive.

i would also guess one of the reasons would lie in the fact that a hybrid engine cannot produce enough power to have a true sports car feel, because we simply dont have quite the technology yet. Maybe some day soon. And honestly who wants to be behind the wheel of a sporty convertible that drives like a prius.

Please BMW give us a hybrid convertible!!!??
Love my X5, but want to help the environment, and my gasoline costs, while enjoying the sunshine.
Also less the weight of a hard top, should make a convertivle even more gas efficient, if you would just PLEASE MAKE ONE!

I want a hybrid convertible. That's what I want to buy and just realized that there are none.

I thought that saab was going to come out with one in 2009 and I have been anxiously awaiting it but it doesnt seem to be on the books yet...

I have an 04' convertible and love it but cannot wait for the fellas in Detroit or overseas to create a hybrid convertible!
Check out www.scottmaloney.com (it's worth it!)

ABSOLUTELY. I am car shopping to replace my 1997 Sebring convertible and keep asking for a hybrid convertible. WHERE ARE THEY?
PLEASE start to make them. I can't wait too much longer to purchase a new car, but would like the combination of luxury (convertible) and economy.

thanks for posting that site i like it it shows the importance of hybrid cars! ill try to focus on that vehicle right now.

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I don't know what to think. The new accord and CR-V (as mentioned) follow some new philosophy of not making any sense. Nothing seems to flow together or look uniform. Don't get me wrong. Its better than the wall-paper boring designs they've had. I guess it if sells (which it probably will), they'll be fine with it.
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OK guys how about it. People have been TALKING about this for years! What the public is demanding is Hybird.... but also sporty we love convertables and want to drive green. IS that too much to ask? The technology is there why not invest in what the people want. A fun sporty convertable Hybird.
My next car will be some type of Hybird, how about making it a convertable.

A hybrid convertible seems a natural extension of model lines that already exist, so I don't expect that there will be much longer to wait. For now, fuel efficient convertibles seem the only real alternative; Miata, Honda 2-seaters, and Minis. Any other suggestions? I sympathize with the comment that "as soon as I buy another convertible, Toyota will announce the convertible Prius..."

OK guys its really simple and you all just arent getting it. I used to work for an automaker, and i will tell you that the idea of a hybrid convertable is not something that hasnt been considered. Its actually been tested ad nauseum, and the simple fact is that the aerodynamic restrictions of convertibles just does not mesh well with the current hybrid engines available. The increased drag literally COMPLETELY eliminates the fuel economy benefits of a hybrid. How many people do you honestly believe would spend the extra money for a hybrid that only gets between 3-5 more MPG than the traditional ICE version of the same car? From an economic standpoint, it just isnt worth it. Besides, the big 3 are bleeding enough money right now as it is without throwing it away on a pipe dream that wont sell.

Update: I'm now driving a pure electric convertible. See www.teslamotors.com for details. It's great:
It blows away any other car on the road. It looks great, It handles great, It doesn't use gas. I can refuel it at home. It goes over 200 miles between refueling.
The bad part: It cost me a pile and doesn't have a lot of trunk space. Clearly, there is a market for the $100K ecological vehicle (200 vehicles delivered, 1000 50% paid deposits) so there is likely a market for much cheaper ones, should the mass market manufacturers choose to make one.

OMG this guy is sooo right. i want one too. keep me posted.

Jonathan,
Let's see: maintenance issues within the 1st 300 cars built of an all-new model. Of course there are some. They have been very minor. The only issue that was a minor problem was the inside emergency escape pull making it hard to close the trunk. This was quickly fixed.
Tesla Service: Tesla has service centers in LA and the SF Bay areas now and will be opening in Chicago, NY, and Seattle very soon. They've actually flown mechanics out to fix a couple of problems in other areas of the US but they will be opening service in most major markets as soon as there are a few cars there. They have an advantage in that, with over 100 orders heavily paid for, they know exactly when and where they will need to set up service. You should check with Tesla directly if you have any questions on out of area service.
Suspension: Incredible. Remember, this thing is a derivative of the Lotus Elise - need one say more. While a bit heavier, it handles great. I had an opportunity to take one out on a closed course and it clearly could take autocross to a new level.
Torque: Nothing compares with the linear torque of an electric motor. Your Porche will seem wimpy after you've driven a Tesla.
Convertible: It actually has a removable soft-top just like the Lotus Elise. It takes about 30 sec to put on/off with experience. You simply put in 2 flexible bows, then roll the top, clicking the sides in place.
Hard Top: Hasn't arrived yet. Its not easily removable. It requires a few bolts to be put in. Personally, I don't think there is really much need although it might make things quieter inside and might be nice in very cold weather. The car has a heater/AC and seat heaters so I haven't had any problems in the upper 30's but I haven't tried it in really cold weather.

Are you a Saab fan? I have Hybrid Convertible Saab's available.

We can help you with your quest for a hybrid Saab or any other Hybrid Convertible. Send us a note or simply contact us via our the web site. www.maxmpgrides.com

We're here to help to help you enjoy your convertible as much as possible without the high fuel costs. Go further and cleaner for LE$$.

I would I am planning on buying a mustang covertble and fixing it up and put a hybrid engine and it with the the help of my friend and his dad at his workshop and georgia at automotive experts

You should do that and then convert a few more and sell them on the internet to people like us on sites like these....you'd make beaucoup bucks for a while until the manufacturers start to make them.

I would buy one.
It would be nice if they could make one that could carry a couple of sets of golf clubs.

And even more importantly make one that didn't have to be bought through a car dealership. Maybe auto makers could have one model in their fleet that they'd require dealers to keep on the lot as a demo (for test drives), and also require them to provide service for it, but the actual purchase would be done directly with the manufacturer via the web, with all fees transparent and no car lot sales managers involved. Getting the dealer out of the transaction could help bring the price down low enough where the average consumer might be able to afford the added expense of a car being both a hybrid and a convertible.

I sure hope a hybrid convertible gets into the market by 2011. I will be ready to buy by then. After all, who wants to speed with the top down? I want to cruise nice and slow around town, what a perfect car to be a hybrid. Yeah!

Man, this thread is four years old. I'm tired of holding my breath

I want a BMW Hybrid convertible too! 3 Series. No need for a SUV, i think they are big waste of our precious energy!

This thread is going on for 5 years and still no hybrid convertible!!!! I am in the same boat as everyone else. My BMW Z4 lease is up. Not interested in a sedan, SUV etc - I am a convertible girl all the way. I find it truly bizarre that there are none on the market.

WAKE UP, CAR MAKERS!

There IS a market for convertible hybrid cars!

That's what I REALLY, REALLY WANT!

I just dumped my leased car (Audi TT). Before that I drove an Audi cabriolet for 12 yrs. I abhor driving a bulky, unfun, large car. Waiting for a small convertible that offers hybrid technology, and I hope that if anyone produces one it doesn't cost $125,000.00 Any news on this?

Didnt some rock ensemble make a song "You Cant Always Get What You Want..."??

Surely its not too much to ask for, like everyone else in this thread I am addicted to open top motoring: short of taking some welding gear to a well known japanese car (which has worse lifecycle carbon footprint than many motors bought in the UK) what can we do?

I'm with everyone else - I'm tired of googling hybrid convertibles and coming up empty-handed. People have already mentioned the ultra-expensive Tesla Roadster, and Lotus plans to roll out a beautiful hybrid hardtop convertible in 2014, but also with a pricetag over $100K.

In the meantime, I'll continue to drive my 10 year old convertible that I refuse to replace - the minute I do they'll release a reasonably-priced hybrid convertible!

I desperately want a hybrid convertible too, but the posters seem to be focused on 2-seaters. I want a hybrid convertible that will allow me to travel top down with my husband and our golf clubs or my husband and 2 hearty (it's windy in the back seat!) friends. I have such a convertible but it's 8 years old so I'm hoping there'll be something just right when I'm ready to buy again, just before I retire.

we need a BMW hybrid convertible ASAP.