It's officially summer in Cairo, and everyone's looking for the best ways to cool down. Though the city's streets are better known for fume belching minibuses than convertible sightings, local dealerships have top down models on offer to keep drivers chilled out on the road all summer long. Daily News Egypt put together a list of convertible models available at local dealerships. While the options are limited and relatively pricey, the cars on offer satisfy a range of tastes and price points for prospective buyers. Volkswagen Eos The Eos is one of the more frequently sighted convertible models on Cairo's streets. Successor to the VW Cabrio, the Eos is a stand-alone model that offers a more streamlined body and a wider variety of safety features. Available in manual transmission only, the two-door Eos features above-average fuel efficiency and one of the highest safety ratings in the convertible market. The Eos' unique five-section roof can retract in 25 seconds and includes a sliding glass sunroof. The car is equipped with a variety of standard safety features, including four-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control and front, side and head airbags designed to work with the top up or down. The Eos was named a top choice for safe convertibles by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning top scores in their routine crash tests, though reviewers have criticized it for mediocre handling and limited storage space. Still, the Eos cannot be beaten when it comes to style and practically, as long as the driver is not expecting sports car-level handling. Price: LE 260,000Engine: 3,189 cc, six cylindersPower: 247 bhp @ 6,300 rpmTorque: 244 lb ft @ 2,750 rpmTransmission: Six-speed DSG automaticFuel & CO2: 30.7 mpg, 219g/kmAcceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.3secTop speed: 153 mph Mini Cooper Convertible Few cars are as iconic as the Mini Cooper, and the Mini Cooper convertible offers all the face value along with the enjoyment of open air driving. Unlike the VW Eos, the soft-topped Mini Cooper convertible is not geared towards year-round practicality in terms of weather. When it comes to space considerations, however, the Mini is unbeaten, offering plenty of storage space within its compact body. While soft-topped convertible models often face challenges obtaining top-notch safety ratings, the Mini convertible boasts an array of standard safety features including stability control, an anti-lock braking system with electronic force distribution, side impact and head airbags and a rear rollover hoop design with electronic sensors. Mini Coopers are best known for their superior handling, and the maneuvering capability of the Mini convertible is no exception, offering responsive braking, firm steering reaction and negligible body lean. The model has been marked down by critics for poor rear visibility, which is a result of a retractable roof that does not fully fold into the interior of the car. While this design saves trunk space, it also impedes a clear line of sight to the rear of the car. Style-conscious drivers looking for an easily maneuverable car to cruise around in top down will love the Mini Cooper convertible, if they can get past the hefty price tag. Price: LE 410,000 Engine: 1,598 cc, four cylindersPower: 172 bhp @ 5,500rpm Torque: 177 lb ft @ 1,600rpmTransmission: Six-speed manualFuel & C02: 44.1 mpg, 153 g/kmAcceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.4secTop speed: 138 mph Mercedes SL350 Convertible Owning a Mercedes is the ultimate automotive status symbol in Egypt, so it's not surprising that the most expensive and luxurious convertible available in the country is the Mercedes Benz SL350. The SL350 is on the lower end of the Mercedes hierarchy, but still offers the perks, superior handling and safety features expected in luxury vehicles, such as a heating system that distributes warm air from headrests to allow for open air driving in cooler weather. The SL350 has superior gas mileage compared to other Mercedes models, and reviewers claim the absence of the computerized suspension system present in more expensive models actually improves the handling. The standout safety feature on the SL350 is an intelligent light system that automatically adapts the car's bi-xenon headlights to different driving conditions and times of day. This system includes an automatic cornering light function that activates sidelights to illuminate turns in the road, increasing visibility for the driver on curves. The SL350 is the one convertible available in Egypt that also qualifies as a sports car in terms of handling and engine quality, so it is the perfect choice for car connoisseurs looking for quality along with the option of open air driving. Price: LE 1,950,000Engine: 3,498 cc, six cylindersPower: 311 bhp @ 6,500 rpmTorque: 266 lb ft @ 4,900 rpmTransmission: Seven-speed automaticFuel & CO2: 28.5 mpg, 236 g/kmAcceleration: 0-62 mph in 6.2 secTop speed: 155 mph Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet The Renault Megane is a popular model on the streets of Cairo, so it's logical that the Renault convertible of choice for Egypt should be the Megane. The Megane is known for its spacious, comfortable interiors, and the Megane coupe cabriolet doesn't disappoint in this department, offering ample legroom and storage space with the top up or down. The convertible comes well equipped with standard safety features including six airbags, pop-up rollover bars and a fuel cut off mechanism that triggers in the case of an accident. While not a sports car in terms of handling - reviewers have complained of shaky steering, especially when the top is down - the Megane coupe cabriolet is a great cruiser for leisurely top down excursions, and is the best priced option of all available convertibles. Price: LE 210,000Engine: 1998 cc, four cylindersPower: 180 bhp @ 5500 rpmTorque: 221 lb ft @ 2250 rpmTransmission: Six-speed manualFuel & CO2: 32.1 mpg, 209 g/kmAcceleration: 0-62 mph in 7.8 secTop Speed: 142 mph To read the other stories in our monthly special focus on Egypt s auto sector, click here: http://thedailynewsegypt.com/admin/article.aspx?ArticleID=224701 http://thedailynewsegypt.com/admin/article.aspx?ArticleID=22469
