Top 10 summer night rides

Bright stars dazzling against an obsidian sky on a hot August night are a surefire recipe for summer romance. There is just something about fresh air and open sky that sets my heart racing.

As an automotive enthusiast, it is also a guaranteed excuse for driving well into the night and forgetting about sleep for awhile. Nothing keeps me awake like the feeling of wind on my face, a boundless sky above my head and the cocooning effect of night as it encircles the car at highway speeds. Here are several of my favourite rides for starry sky summer night driving.

Audi’s compact two-door machines appear as slinky sports coupes or daring convertible roadsters with curvy skin stretched tautly over exaggerated wheels. The TT 2.0T FSI model features a standard six-speed S-Tronic sequential automatic transmission. The TT 3.2 stokes the 3.2-liter V6 working 250 hp with either a six-speed manual or six-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox. The top-tier TTS coupe and roadster get a high-performance 2.0-liter FSI turbo four engine drawing 265 hp with the six-speed manual or S-Tronic sequential automatic.

Chevy’s sports car offers a coupe and convertible or the Z06 fixed-roof hatchback plus a ZR1 supercar stocking the new LS9 supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 638 hp. Z06 carries race-honed gear like carbon-fiber composite fenders and a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 whipping up 505 hp through a six-speed manual gearbox. Corvette Coupe and Convertible use the LS3 6.2-liter V8 pumping 430 hp in concert with a six-speed manual or electronically controlled six-speed Paddle Shift automatic. Corvette the coupe has a removable roof panel, while the convertible’s fabric lid operates manually or with optional power controls.

The mid-size Sebring Convertible by Chrysler in a slick design offers choices for the power retractable roof; cloth or steel. Sebring as a drop-top splits into three versions; entry-model Sebring Convertible LX, the upscale Touring edition and a deluxe Limited, and each adds exterior trim elements and interior equipment for differentiation as well as a different powertrain. The convertible’s strongest powertrain goes to the deluxe Limited edition, which employs a single-cam 3.5-liter V6 worth 235 hp. Sebring’s airy cabin sparks with stylish appointments, while some clever concepts make life comfortable aboard.

The first-ever drop-top G-car from Infiniti is here now as a 2010 model. Dressed in stunningly smooth skin and rigged with a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop, it features a coupe-like roofline when blocking the sun. Powertrain for the G37 Convertible is a dual-cam 3.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual, or the new seven-speed electronic automatic transmission. Infiniti’s sporty convertible showcases enhanced audio and climate systems to maintain a comfortable cabin environment even on the chilliest night in August.

Jeep’s rugged dirt warrior is tough, versatile and simple, with best-in-class off-road capability. Two 4WD transfer cases appear with Jeep’s CommandTrac part-time system or the RockTrac device for off-roader Rubicon with locking front and rear differentials, electric axle lockers and electronic disconnecting front sway bar. High-torque muscle flows from a 3.8-liter V6 hitting 202 hp with standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional four-speed automatic. For added safety Wrangler has standard HSA and ESP, with available TSC (Trailer Sway Control).

Mazda enhances the year-round comfort and security of the MX-5 Miata by offering a power retractable hard top (PRHT). It’s the quickest-closing power top in the business, as the push-button conversion from hardtop coupe to airy convertible consumes only 12 seconds. Just touch a toggle switch and watch the roof pleat at two seams and fold in three sections to stack behind the cockpit in the same space where the soft top stows. Unlike other folding hard tops which tuck into the trunk, Miata’s PRHT does not consume any space in the trunk. Power comes in the form of a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder with 167 hp and 140 lb.-ft of torque.

The 2+2 sports convertible by Mitsubishi runs with the label of Eclipse Spyder. It uses styling, structure and mechanical content of the Eclipse sporty coupe. Eclipse Spyder GS is the entry edition with a 2.4-liter in-line-four rated at 162 hp with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic linked to Sportronic shift control. Eclipse GT-P has a 3.8-liter V6 with 265 hp and either a six-speed manual or five-speed electronic automatic with Sportronic shifting.

With this as the nameplate, need we say more for a summertime drive? Saturn’s two-seat roadster convertible is gorgeous, with rippled skin stretched like flexed muscles over a long and broad structure which features a prominent prow, mid-ship cockpit and roly-poly rump. A convertible top tucks into the rear compartment and leaves only smooth lines on the deck. Sky’s 2.4-liter Ecotec in-line-four engine delivers 173 hp. Mechanical assets include a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis and independent suspension designs front and rear using lightweight aluminum for upper and lower control arms. GM’s StabiliTrak skid controls and a limited-slip differential apply as standard equipment, plus XM satellite radio service.

This name in Greek mythology applied to the goddess of the dawn and the VW named Eos makes the sun come up with push-button ease to convert from a hardtop coupe to open-top convertible. The sleek two-door, with seats for four in a well-stocked cabin, uses the Rabbit/Jetta platform with FWD and a turbo-charged engine. The 2.0-liter four-in-line turbo produces 200 hp through a six-speed DSG Tiptronic automatic. Eos trims levels include Treadline, Comfortline and a Special Edition Silver-Red. New options include the Technology Package with bi-xenon HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps and rear PDC (park distance control) guidance.

The sleek two-door C70 works as a swoopy coupe or breezy convertible with the conversion from hardtop to drop-top occurring with push-button ease. Extensive safety systems are aboard, including inflatable curtain-style air bags concealed in side doors. Engine is Volvo’s 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo boosted to 227 hp. An automatic five-speed is available, or the manual six-speed. Aluminum inlays now dress the center console and doors, handle surrounds and a Premium Package adds fine leather to the seats. The Dynaudio Package brings Dolby ProLogic II Surround Sound audio with 12 Dynaudio speakers.

Jeff Voth, Editor-at-large Y! Canada Autos