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MERCEDES-BENZ E350 CABRIOLET

Want a convertible and can’t give up on practicality? The Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet, to give you its full name, is the answer. If you see one approaching head-on, you can’t tell it from the E-Class sedan — but the missing roof is the obvious giveaway. The E Cabrio is a handsome car, if somewhat staid, but the three-pointed star on the grille makes it a celebration by itself. M-B currently offers just one engine option, the 350 CDI, popular for its strong blend of power and still being very fuel efficient. However, we do think a bigger, more powerful motor (an AMG, perhaps?) would have been apt.

It's a soft top convertible, so you can realistically keep the elements away when you like and the best part is, you can actually seat two fully grown adults in the back seat without having to, er, alter their dimensions. Where the E Cabrio disappoints is on the goodies front. The interiors are well built and functional, but lack that 'special' feel you'd want to associate with a cabriolet. That's if the Mercedes-Benz badge isn't special enough for you, of course.

Price: Rs 64.59 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)

BMW 650i

Now here's a Beemer that is special, fast and takes care of that one crucial word — presence. It's got loads of it and it's not at all hard to miss, even in a crowd. Instead of being angular and edgy, the 650i is more bulbous, with slashes in the right places and despite its dimensions, it doesn't come across as bulky. Oh, and it has the performance to back its size! Under the hood is a massive, 4.4 litre V8, that produces 407 bhp@5,500-6,400 rpm which translates to telepathic acceleration, lots of donuts and enough grunt to keep you grinning ear to ear at all times. That and the generously spread 61 kgm of torque means you can drive it to faraway destinations effortlessly, and rapidly while at it.

In terms of handling, the 650i is sharp although not as athletic as say, an M3 or a Z4. But that's fair, given its size and the fact that it is a proper four seater! The interiors on the 650i are lavishly executed, with various textures and colour tones — again, typical of contemporary Beemers — and are a special place to be in. Overall, the 650i is a fast GT with the all the perks of a (soft top) convertible, and trust us, that means there's never a dull moment when you're at the wheel.

Price: Rs 96.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)