Miami, Sunday, June 4, 2017 (By Eduardo A. Hapke / Negocios Magazine). Last Thursday was the event Topless in Miami, where members of the journalist organization SAMA chose the best convertible in the automotive market.
The 7th edition of Topless in Miami was sponsored by Haartz, a world leader in soft convertible tops. The event was attended by more than 80 guests, including automotive executives and journalists grouped in the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA).
The event that took place at the hotel Ritz-Carton of Key Biscayne began at 8:30 AM with a breakfast, explanation of the details for the qualification of the vehicles, then the reporters went straight to the tests with the convertibles.
The manufacturers that participated were: Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes- Rolls-Royce and VW.
After testing and qualifying more than 30 convertibles throughout the day, the journalists gave their verdicts. In the afternoon, SAMA’s board of directors, composed of Jaime Florez (president), Paul Borden (vice president), Marcello Serrato (treasurer) and Eduardo Hapke (secretary) counted the votes and the final results were obtained with the winners in the different categories.
In the evening, there was a gala dinner in the same Ritz-Carlton hotel where the winners were announced in the different categories. 11 awards were given. The winners were as follows:
Convertible of the Year: 2107 Jaguar F-Type SVR
Maria Rodriguez, Jaguar representative received the award.
Best Super Luxury/Exotic Convertible: 2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn
Gerry Spahn, Rolls-Royce representative received the award.
Best High-Performance Convertible: 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR
Maria Rodriguez, Jaguar representative received the award.
Best Luxury Convertible: 2017 AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Michael Minielly, Mercedes-Benz representative received the award.
Best Full-Size Convertible: 2017 Ford Mustang
Albert Collazo, Ford representative received the award.
Best Performance Roadster: 2018 Nissan 370Z
Steve Parrett, Nissan representative received the award.
Best Small Convertible: 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
Angela Bianchi, FCA representative received the award.
Best Super Luxury Panoramic Vehicle: 2017 Bentley Bentayga
Best Luxury Panoramic Vehicle: 2018 Lexus LC500h
Corey Proffitt, and Janice Greenspan, Lexus representatives received the award.
Best Affordable Panoramic Vehicle: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti
Berj Alexanian, Alfa Romeo representative received the award.
Best Value Panoramic Vehicle: 2017 Infiniti QX30
Paige Presley, Infiniti representative received the award.
Source: Negocios & Ejecutiva Magazine. Pictures: Prestige Auto.