Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
Mazda’s 2003 RX8 may have been the first coupé to add a couple of (rear-hinged suicide) doors but Mercedes get’s the prize for believing it could use four full size doors and still get away with the term ‘coupé’; an oxymoron to say the least. It has been such a success since its launch in 2006 that every other manufacturer has had to follow suit. But Merc has upped the ante with a brand new 2011 model, including this 549bhp twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 that rockets to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds.
Price 110,000 USD
BMW X6M
Much to the vitriol of BMW’s diehard M division fans, the Bavarian marque has done what it said it would never do and made M versions of its SUVs including its X6, which thus becomes a crossover four-door sports coupé. Use the Launch Control System – yes really, an SUV with launch control – and you’ll get the 2,380kg behemoth to shimmy its way to 100km/h in a mere 4.7 seconds. In fact, plant the throttle in any gear and it’ll simply hunker down and go like stink.
Price 89,000 USD
Fiat 500 TenderTwo Castagna
Just as the original inspired the new Fiat 500, one of Italy’s oldest coachbuilders has used a version of the early Cinquecentos favoured by the rich and famous, the Fiat 500 Jolly, to produce the Fiat 500 TenderTwo. In keeping with history, it has had its roof, doors and side windows removed. However, that’s where the similarities end, for instead of wicker seats and a 0.5-litre engine, Castagna’s 21st century homage opts for wicker-patterned upholstery and electric propulsion.
Price upon request (built to order)
KTM X-Bow R
The Austrian motorbike manufacturer KTM has managed to fuse a motorbike and a car to make a serious performance machine. Bike influences are everywhere, and not just in the sort of clothing you need to wear in case of rain. There are fixed moulded seats, consequently you adjust the pedals and steering column instead. The instrument pod is lifted straight from a KTM two-wheeler. The anti-theft system requires unclipping the steering wheel and taking it with you and, oh yes, it’ll hit 100km/h in just 3 seconds.
Price 65,000 USD
Mini Paceman
The Paceman has only just been revealed. It’s essentially a four-seat coupé version of the Mini Countryman, making it what Mini claims to be “the world's first premium miniature SUV coupé.” Power comes from a 1.6-litre 211bhp twin-scroll turbo engine from the Mini John Cooper Works. Mate that to the Mini Countryman’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system, which in extreme circumstances sends 100 per cent of power to the rear wheels, and you have yourself one attractive proposition.
Price yet to be set
Nissan Murano CC
Whether it is useful or not, the Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet is a bold move by the Japanese marque, who’s already hailing it as “the world’s first all-wheel-drive crossover convertible.” It obviously lost a pair of doors in its conversion to a drop top, but retains its hardtop sibling’s all-wheel drive, 3.5-litre 265bhp V6, and XTronic CVT. We believe the CC has ‘it’, the novelty factor, the wow factor and the must-have factor that should resonate with the lucrative soccer-mum set.
Price 46,500 USD
