You know that song “Walking on Sunshine?” Driving a Toyota convertible feels quite a bit like that. The sun is shining, everything is blissful, and you don’t have a care in the world. Convertibles are pretty great, but not too many people share that sentiment. In fact, the convertible segment has become so unpopular that you’d be pretty hard-pressed to find one.
You definitely won’t find one on Toyota’s lineup and there’s a reason for that.
Toyota of Clermont is here with a little explanation on why you can’t find a Toyota convertible anymore.
This is Why Toyota Convertibles are a Thing of the Past
Toyota convertibles were popular back in the day. In fact, they reached incredible heights with the smallest of vehicle offerings out there. The Mazda Miata debuted in the 80s with a signature convertible top and the world was amazed. In fact, the Clermont car sold over a million units and came to define the subsegment.
Riding the Toyota convertible wave, just about auto make out there was producing some form of convertible to keep up with the rapid demand of the market at the time. Toyota even had a model that you might remember, the Camry Solara. Unfortunately, this coupe Camry remix was shelved in 2008 as popularity began to fade.
While it blows that Toyota convertibles faded into the sun, the reasons why (besides a loss in popularity) might surprise you.
Design Constraints
Believe it or not but yanking the roof right off a car (or anything, really) isn’t a very good idea. Convertibles are actually quite a interesting example of how to re-engineer a vehicle. Removing the roof greatly impacts the structural integrity of your vehicle’s body and it’s something that needs to be compensated for.
When convertibilizing (we know that’s not a real word) a vehicle it’s important to reinforce and fortify the existing body of the Clermont Toyota convertible. The body of the vehicle must become wider and stronger to compensate for the loss in integrity by removing the roof. Plus there’s the exposure that drivers will inevitably be faced with that designers need to consider before bringing it to market.
Fuel Efficiency Considerations
When designing a vehicle to be fuel efficient your work can’t stop at the engine size and transmission type. The entire vehicle, from conception to construction, must be designed to reduce air drag and with lighter materials in mind to decrease weight. While the lack of roof on a Toyota convertible might seem like an idea borne to be fuel efficient, it’s quite the opposite. Removing the roof actually prevents proper airflow over a Clermont car and creates a swirl pocket of air just above the back seats. This creates a down draft that drags the vehicle down toward the ground and adds weight.
That’s why when people are driving with the top down their hair blows the opposite way (physics, wow). An impending lecture in science aside, convertibles are also designed with heavier bodies which further hinders better fuel efficiency.
While it’s unclear if Toyota will ever make another Toyota convertible, that doesn’t mean soaking up some sun is impossible. There are several models on the lineup with sunroofs and other luxury features here at Toyota of Clermont! Check them out today at 16851 State Road 50.
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