If you’re looking for a topless crossover, your current options are limited to just one vehicle: the Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet. We suppose you could include the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in the mix, but it’s on-road ride quality isn’t something we’d want to endure on a daily basis.

That may soon change, as Land Rover is showing off its Evoque convertible concept at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. As Land Rover explains, the drop-top Evoque is meant to “explore the potential for the world’s first premium convertible SUV,” meaning that Land Rover will be extremely interested in hearing customer feedback on the concept.

The company adopted a similar strategy with the DC100 concepts, which will likely serve as the basis of the next-generation Land Rover Defender. An Evoque convertible fits in with the brand’s strategy of of expanding the Evoque product line beyond the existing range.

At this past weekend’s Barrett-Jackson vehicle auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, the very first 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible was sold for a staggering $600,000.

Of course, the Corvette Convertible sold was no ordinary ‘Vette but rather a Corvette 427 Convertible “Collector Edition” with a VIN ending in 001. It also happens to be the fastest and most capable convertible in Corvette’s history.

Nevertheless, $600k is an amazing sum to pay for a brand new example of the all-American supercar, but it was all for a good cause.

A faulty water pump that could lead to a smoldering electrical board, which might then start a fire, is at the root of a recall of 88,911 MINI Cooper S, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Convertible, and John Cooper Works models.

MINI says that 100 percent of the vehicles in the recall contain the faulty water pump, but the series of incidents that would have to happen to cause a fire appears to be somewhat less likely: under “certain conditions” the auxiliary electric water pump, which helps cool the turbocharger after engine shutoff, can malfunction, which might cause the circuit board to overheat, which might then cause the circuit board to smolder, which might in turn finally cause the fire.

The C6 Chevrolet Corvette enters its final year in 2013 and as a last hurrah Chevy is launching the new Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, the fastest and most capable Corvette convertible ever launched.

That 427, as most small-block fans will recognize, is the cubic-inch displacement of GM’s 7.0-liter race-bred LS7 V-8, and the engine’s application in the Corvette convertible makes this particular ‘Vette an instant classic.

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Plans for a mid-engine, rear-drive roadster from Volkswagen may be scrapped because anticipated customer demand isn’t enough to make the car profitable.

Worse, the death of Volkswagen’s Bluesport Roadster may doom similar projects from Audi and Porsche.

So reports Britain’s What Car?, citing a conversation with VW’s head of R&D Ulrich Hackenberg as its source.

Movie buffs traveling to this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will be in for a pleasant surprise: among all the classic rides on display will be Natalie Wood’s Mercedes-Benz 300SL. The car will be one of several 300SLs on hand to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz’s first Le Mans win in 1952.

Unfortunately, the car doesn’t look quite the way it did when Wood owned it. “She had it painted pink,” said Bill Warner, founder and chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “Pink with a lipstick-red leather interior, as if driving a 300SL around Hollywood didn’t attract enough attention.” 

It’s been nearly three weeks since Honda told us it would be premiering a small sports electric concept car at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. True to its promise, Honda has just unveiled what it calls the EV-STER electric sports concept on the show’s first press day. 

With an unmistakably Honda front grille and rear quarter panels reminiscent of the euro-specification 2012 Honda Civic hatchback, the EV-STER measures just under 12 feet in length, 5 feet wide, and 3.5 feet high. 

Just ahead of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has given us a sneak peek at the upcoming 2013 SL-Class. While we can’t share actual photos of the car with you just yet, we can give you some details of its construction and technology.

Drawing on the origins of its name–Super Leggera, or Super Light– the new SL features extensive use of aluminum in several forms. It weighs in 245 pounds (220 kilograms) lighter than its predecessor as a body-in-white. According to our discussions with Mercedes-Benz representatives, the 2013 SL will weigh up to 310 pounds (140 kilograms) less depending on the level of options and features chosen.

Ford’s been continuously improving on its Mustang every year or so, refining the styling, adding new engines and drivetrain upgrades, and expanding the line with new variants. However, with a brand new generation due in time for the Mustang’s 50th anniversary, one has to wonder how much life is left in the current model.

Turns out there’s still plenty to get excited about as Ford is rolling out a revamped version of its iconic muscle car, which debuts this week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show before going on sale next spring as a 2013 model.

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It’s now possible to build a brand new ’64½, ’65 or ’66 Ford Mustang convertible from the wheels up using this latest Ford-approved and officially licensed body shell.

Unveiled today ahead of its public debut at next week’s 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, the new body shell joins previous ‘restoration parts’ versions for the 1967-68 and the 1969-70 fastback Mustang bodies.