Car and Driver's 2001 convertible comparison test pitted four distinctly different roadsters against each other: the BMW M Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG, Porsche Boxster S, and Chevrolet Corvette. The photo gallery captures each car from multiple angles, revealing the design language and proportions that defined the early 2000s sports car market.
The BMW M Roadster brought German engineering and a 3.2-liter inline-six engine producing 321 horsepower. Mercedes countered with the SLK32 AMG, featuring a supercharged 3.2-liter V6 making 354 horses and representing the brand's performance credentials. Porsche's Boxster S delivered a mid-mounted 3.2-liter flat-six with 261 hp, emphasizing handling balance over raw power. The Corvette, America's sports car, packed a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 generating 405 hp and cost thousands less than its European rivals.
This lineup captured a pivotal moment in performance convertible design. The Europeans favored smaller, more refined engines paired with sophisticated transmissions and electronics. The Corvette pursued a different philosophy: displacement and affordability. Interior shots showcase the contrast between the minimalist Boxster cabin, the luxury-oriented Mercedes cockpit, and the Corvette's more straightforward American approach. Exterior angles reveal how each manufacturer interpreted the roadster formula, from the SLK's retractable hardtop innovation to the traditional cloth tops on the others.
These four cars occupied different market tiers and buyer priorities. The M Roadster and SLK32 attracted European brand loyalists. The Boxster appealed to Porsche purists seeking a daily-driver