2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Launched

If there was ever a town made to road test convertibles in, it must be Queenstown in New Zealand. So it’s no wonder that Nissan Australia has flown a group of automotive journalist over to review its new Nissan 370Z Roadster.

Day one of the event was an introduction to the vehicle and an overview of Nissan’s plans for the new Z Roadster. Even though there was no drive program today, pricing and performance figures were made public as well as the cars specifications.

The 370Z Roadster 6 Speed Manual will retail for $74,990 while the 370Z Roadster 7 Speed Automatic will be available for $77,990.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500

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With a little more power, a less weighty engine and new performance upgrades for 2011, the folks at Ford's SVT performance unit continue to turn the once portly, push-pig Shelby GT500 into an ever-more-legitimate all-around performance car.

Like its V6 and GT brethren, the GT500, which the company is to unveil at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, gets substantial upgrades for 2011, only a year after a major overhaul for 2010. You can think of it as a preemptive strike against the Camaro Z28 that has long been rumored to be waiting in the wings at Chevy.

Not surprisingly, the 2011 upgrades for the GT500 begin with the supercharged 5.4-liter V8, which Ford describes as an evolution of the engine from the now-departed Ford GT. Yep, that means the GT500 now has an aluminum-block engine instead of the stout iron block it has used up to now. This little switch chops off 102 pounds from the burden carried by the front axle of the notoriously nose-heavy GT500.

20th Anniversary Limited Edition Mazda MX-5

Mazda celebrates two decades of global roadster success with the world premiere of a 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Mazda MX-5 at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This model, which will have a limited production run of just 2,000 units, will only be available in Europe and will take sportscar fans back to the basics of open-top driving fun. Each model is equipped with a special edition scuff plate in stainless steel with its unique serial number (from 1 to 2000).

Based on the 1.8-litre SE soft-top roadster, this version has a special exterior styling package with chrome grille, door handles and headlight fascia; along with silver-look fog lamp surrounds, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and 20th Anniversary logos. It can be ordered in three exterior colours – True Red, Crystal White Pearl and, specific for this edition, a new Aurora Blue – with matching body-colour painted decorative elements in the interior. A front suspension bracing bar is also added to ensure an even more sporty and exhilarating drive.

2010 Convertible Cars

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet	Base Price: $42,000
	Doors: 2 Seats: 5	Top Style: Softtop Prod Status: Production
Description: With a top that drops in only 15 seconds there's no reason not to go topless! Notes: Check out the high-performance S5 for even more vroom. For More Info: www.AudiUSA.com

2010 Ford Mustang Convertible	Base Price: $25,995
	Doors: 2 Seats: 4	Top Style: Softtop Prod Status: Production
Description: Refreshed for 2010, this new model year brings several changes and refinements. Notes: Several models of the Mustang Convertible are available, step up to the Shelby GT500 Convertible for maximum performance! For More Info: www.FordVehicles.com

2010 Lexus IS C	Base Price: $38,490
	Doors: 2 Seats: 4	Top Style: Hardtop Prod Status: Production
For More Info: www.Lexus.com

2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder	Base Price: $27,799
	Doors: 2 Seats: 4	Top Style: Softtop Prod Status: Production
Description: The sleek Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible looks great whether top-up or top-down! (And goes from one to the other in under twenty seconds.) Notes: Move up to the Spyder GT to experience a full Eclipse. For More Info: www.MitsubishiCars.com

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster	Base Price: $36,970
	Doors: 2 Seats: 2	Top Style: Softtop Prod Status: Preview
Description: The all-new Z Roadster due in late 2009 looks to be worth the wait! For More Info: www.NissanUSA.com