One Touch Convertible

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 two-seat convertible

In the "Happy Days" 1950s, a mild debate broke out over the definition of a sports car. It happened as the original two-seat Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird made their debuts.

After all was said and done, the consensus was that the Thunderbird, lacking true sports car attributes, was a "personal" car, while the Corvette, which also was bereft of most of those distinctions, was a sports car.

The two-seat Thunderbird disappeared after just three years but the Corvette morphed into one of the best sports cars in the world.

Neither of the original cars would measure up to the average compact economy car today. But the distinctions between sports and personal cars still exist, though at a way higher level.

Consider the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 two-seat hard top convertible. By almost any standard in recent history, it could easily qualify as a sports car. Nevertheless, in today's context, it more easily fits the description of a personal car. You are more likely to see it cruising around the streets of Miami Beach than competing on a race track like, say, a Porsche Boxster.

With its retractable hard top, the SL350 is the third generation of a luxury touring car that first made its appearance about 15 years ago. Among the Mercedes faithful, it is the spiritual successor to the 190SL of the late fifties and early sixties, which also was a personal car but more of a sports car than the original Corvette.

The 2012 model offers plenty of performance: 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine with direct fuel injection mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode that can deliver zero to 60 miles per hour acceleration in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155, according to the factory specifications.

Yet, perhaps acknowledging the SLK's boulevardier image as well as the burgeoning attention to fuel economy, Mercedes next year will offer the SLK250, which will be powered by a turbocharged 201-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine. It will be available with the seven-speed automatic along with a six-speed manual gearbox.

SmartTOP Convertible Top Controller for Nissan 370Z Roadster to be ...

Before the end of this summer the aftermarket convertible top controller by Mods4cars will be available for the Nissan 370Z Roadster. It enables one-touch convertible top control while driving at slow speeds as well as opening and closing the top from afar with the factory remote fob.

Ocean, New Jersey, June 7th, 2011 – Just in time for the summer convertible top mod maker Mods4cars ( http://www.mods4cars.com ) will ready a kit for the Nissan 370Z Roadster, adding convenience features and functions: The aftermarket module allows operation of the top from within RF range of the original key fob without the need to add a remote or modify the existing one(s).

Now all Nissan 370Z owners are invited to enjoy the added convenience of one-touch top operation while driving up to 40 km/h (~28mph). No more pulling over or holding down the top switch necessary when it starts to rain.

“We are happy to announce the availability of this new product for the Nissan 370Z Roadster.” says PR Manager Sven Tornow. “Now the well-known SmartTOP features are also available to all Nissan Roadster owners.” Amongst other bonus features it is possible to open and close the windows separately from the top either by remote or by using a quick double-tap sequence on the center console top switch.

It is also possible to completely turn off the module while leaving it installed, if necessary. User configurable options include beep or horn signals when locking and/or unlocking, auto-locking und unlocking of the doors and uninterrupted auto top operation while starting or stopping the engine.

The mod kit comes with a custom designed plug-in wiring harness for quick and easy installation in the car as well as a standard USB port on the module for PC based configuration and firmware update (available online free of charge).

SmartTOP aftermarket top modules are available for these cars: Alfa, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Infiniti, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Volkswagen and Volvo.

The kit for Nissan 370Z Roadster will be available for 249 Euro + tax.

Nissan 370Z Roadster owners can find a video demo here:

Mods4cars was founded in 2002 with the idea to add a highly demanded feature to the otherwise almost perfect Porsche Boxster: Comfort One-Touch roof operation while driving at slow speeds. The resulting product offered not only that, but also allowed quick and easy installation by just swapping out a relay box, thus leaving no traces and no permanent changes on the vehicle. The first SmartTOP roof controller was born.

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