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Top 20 Bold and Beautiful Convertibles from Across the Globe - Part II

Can there be anything more blissful than letting the wind stream through your hair as your convertible roars down the road? Compared to when they first came off the assembly line, today's topless cars are flashier, quicker and more adept at handling squally weather. India doesn't see many such convertibles though. It's actually a question of security rather than all-weather practicality, because cars parked on the street in India can easily become targets of break-ins.

From the super luxurious to the sporty, ragtops take everyday driving to a new level of enjoyment. Here's our pick of the top 20 bold and beautiful convertibles from across the globe. Here is the second part of the article published under the same name.

Audi A5 Cabriolet

Beautifully lustrous and beautifully detailed, the A5 cabriolet delivers the top-down style you expect from a convertible without compromising the everyday utility you must have from a car that can carry four passengers. Looking good has its own rewards is the message the car sends across. The stylish A5 Cabriolet offers excellent drivability and a quick, turbocharged inline-4 at a starting price considerably lower than that of class competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 6 Series. Everything is all very controlled, all very Audi in the A5 Cabriolet.

Infiniti G37 Convertible

The breathtaking power of the best-in-class 325-bhp V6 motor is built to feel like a peaking wave rather than a short-lived burst. The alluring exterior of the convertible flows from bumper to bumper, top to trunk. Boasting a fast and efficient 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL together with driver-friendly features like 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, adaptive climate control, and the available Bose Open Air Sound System, the G37 Convertible is an intelligently-designed drop-top that proves you don't need to sacrifice speed for luxury.

Lexus IS 250C

This car is a masterpiece of modern precision engineering. The aerodynamic four-passenger convertible boasts an all-weather three-piece hardtop that can be raised or lowered in just 20 seconds. State-of-the-art technologies are complemented by the finesse of exquisite quality. The IS 250C contrasts sophisticated elegance with dynamic purpose. Under its hood is a 204-bhp V6 engine, which balances decent acceleration with reasonable fuel economy. The IS 250C is very much a driver's car, yet with all the luxurious refinement of a Lexus.

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

This fast and furious car is believed to be one of the most powerful convertibles on the landscape. Like the coupe version, the two-seat convertible is a natural-born entertainer, and is powered by a 430-bhp V8 motor. It has been shaped with all the sexy curves that scream danger. Firm handling, quality interior appointments and rocket-like 4.2-second 0-100 kmph acceleration come standard to remind riders of the Corvette's beautiful yet bold features.

Jaguar XKR Convertible

The car has on the whole been built like a Beyonce costume; it keeps a tight restraint on a lot of power with smooth curves and deliberate angles. This luxurious convertible combines high performance with high class for a ride that is both refined and remarkably fast. The interiors of the XKR convertible may be well-equipped like a full-sized sedan, but this is one agile cat who loves to sprint, rocketing from 0 to 60 in just 4.6 seconds. It has 510 bhp under the hood and comes with a 6-speed transmission.

Ford Mustang Convertible

The Ford Mustang, both V6 and V8 versions of the car, offer staggering horsepower. The convertible offers the promise of exciting cruising in a retro-classic car, open sky views, and fresh air with the top down. The 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible comes standard with Sync, giving voice command access to phones and MP3 players. An excellent navigation system with traffic and fuel prices is available. Retro looks give the car style and the body lines cut a striking figure.

Ferrari California

When and if a convertible fanatic gets stupidly rich, the convertible he's gonna want is the Ferrari California. This hardtop drop-top packs a 454-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 engine under the hood that can bring this vehicle to 100 kmph in less than four seconds. Plus, the California's curvaceous Pininfarina lines can drive anyone crazy. From the shape of the hood scoop and headlights to the sweep of the rear fenders and vents behind the front wheels, this car obviously draws on the heritage of the original 1960s 250 GT California. At the same time, it's blended with modern Ferrari design elements drawn from the current F430 and 599.

Porsche 911 Cabriolet

This convertible is a classic. The Porsche 911 convertible is such a pure combination of clean design and efficient performance that the extra cost one may have to pay for the convertible version is almost forgivable. But the shape of a Cabriolet 911 is almost as iconic as that of its coupe counterparts. The car comes with an optional PDK manual automatic dual-clutch transmission and a choice of engines and drivetrains that range from the rear-wheel-drive 345-horse 3.6-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine to the all-wheel-drive 500-bhp 3.8-liter turbocharged edition.

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK is as attractive a package today as it was over ten years ago. Everything about this two-seat Benz convertible feels solid and substantial. Analyse the cabin, the car's superior build quality, its well-weighted steering or its down-to-business engine lineup, you get the feeling that Mercedes engineers were very serious about building a fun little sports car. The SLK300 is powered by a 228-bhp, 3.0-liter V6, while the SLK350's 3.5-liter V6 produces 300 bhp. Performance nuts will take note of the SLK55 AMG, which contains a brawny 5.4-liter V8 that churns out 355 bhp while chugging fuel at a very economic rate.

2009 Cadillac XLR

The Cadillac XLR is a performance hardtop roadster with lots of fancy touches and a folded-and-creased appearance that poses a unique stance on the road. The use of lightweight components like aluminum suspension pieces and composite body panels keeps the Cadillac XLR from being a bloated luxury two-seater. The combination of bold, angular styling outside and distinctive eucalyptus-wood cockpit accents gives the XLR a sophisticated presence. Accelerating the XLR is a strong 320-bhp, 4.6-liter V8 that is high on saving fuel. Inside the cabin, one can find plenty of techie toys to play with.