Porsche 911 Carrera
named Best Convertible at 2013 "Topless in Miami"
By Ron Beasley - Pictures by Jose Delfino
Key
Biscayne, FL (June 6, 2013) – The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet claimed the
overall Best Convertible automobile title today at the third annual “Topless in
Miami” event hosted by the Southern Automotive Media Association, headquartered
at the elegant Ritz-Carleton Hotel in Key Biscayne.
The Porsche Carrera was closely contested in the category by the beautiful
Jaguar XKR. However, the Jaguar XKR went on to win the title of Best Exotic
Convertible in the voting by 72 SAMA members who drove and graded the 17
participating vehicles on design, ease of convertible operation, and overall
driving and handling characteristics.
It was the second year in a row that the sleek Jaguar XKR has won a trophy in
the Topless in Miami competition. The Porsche Carrera and Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
GT Roadster were the two other entrants in the Exotic Convertible category.
At the same time, the BMW M3 Convertible won the trophy in the 2013 Best Luxury
Convertible class. It was closely challenged by the Audi A5, the Infiniti G37
IPL and the Mercedes Benz E-Class convertibles.
In the Full-Size Convertible Class, the Chrysler 200 Limited won top honors. It
was closely followed in the balloting by the BMW 135is and the Jeep Wrangler
Unlimited Sahara 4x4.
In the Performance Convertible category, the Nissan 370Z Roadster Tour was
judged the best in the category, with the Chevrolet Camaro 2SS and Ford Mustang
GT finishing closely behind in very tight voting.
In the Small Convertible category, the Fiat 500 once again found favor with SAMA
voters as they judged the little Italian car the best for the third consecutive
year, the Abarth Cabrio model winning the trophy this year. The Volkswagen
Beetle, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Smart EV were runnersup for the Small Convertible
trophy.
A total of 14 manufacturers participated in the third annual “Topless in Miami”
event, designed to showcase the best convertible automobiles on sale in the
United States today. The participating manufacturers included Mercedes Benz,
Nissan, Infiniti, Jaguar, Porsche, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Audi, Mazda,
Fiat, Smart and Volkswagen.
Prestige Auto Specialist President Marcello Serrato accepts 2013 SAMA Topless in
Miami trophy for Best Exotic Convertible winner, the Jaguar XKR, from SAMA board
members
BMW Communications Manager Julian Arguelles accepts 2013 SAMA Topless in Miami
trophy for Best Luxury Convertible winner, the BMW M3 Convertible, from SAMA
board members (l-r) Marcello Serrato, Tony Lesesne
Chrysler Communications Manager Lisa Barrow accepts 2013 SAMA Topless in Miami
trophy for Best Full-Size Convertible winner, the Chrysler 200 Limited
Convertible, from SAMA board members (l-r) Tony Lesesne and Marcello Serrato,
Paul Borden, Jaime Florez,
Nissan Communications Manager Steve Parrett accepts 2013 SAMA Topless in Miami
trophy for Best Performance Convertible, the Nissan 370Z Roadster Tour, from
SAMA board members (l-r) Tony Lesesne and Marcello
Serrato, Paul Borden, Jaime Florez.
Fiat Public Relations Manager Ariel Gavilan accepts 2013 SAMA Topless in Miami
trophy for Best Small Car Convertible, the Fiat500 Abarth Cabrio, from SAMA
board members (l-r) Jaime Florez, Tony Lesesne and Marcello Serrato, Paul
Borden,
For more information, call:
Ron Beasley
305-229-4980
email: xjron@aol.com
ALSO SEE:
Topless in Miami 2012 and
2011
AWARDS DINNER
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Click on photos to enlarge
AWARDS DINNER
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