With summer just around the corner, two luxury car makers have launched scintillating new drop-tops. Audi is offering cabriolet versions of its A4 and flagship S4 quattro, while Volvo is showing off its C70 coup.

In common with the outgoing model, the latest A4 Cabriolet is available as a standard model, or with an optional Sport or S line specification.

Standard kit on all of the German drop-tops includes 16-inch seven-arm alloy wheels, powered roof, windows and door mirrors, electronic climate control, a radio with single CD player, and a four-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel. For that you'll pay £25,730, but add a few extra and the price goes all the way to £32,735.

Naturally, the look and specification of the £42,980 S4 is what a flagship should be.

S4 quattros add 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, satellite navigation, fully electrically adjustable leather front sports seats, polished aluminium door mirrors and carbon fibre fascia inlays.

Under the S4's bonnet sits a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine, packing in 340bhp for exhilarating performance.

The 0-62mph time in the six-speed manual transmission version is just 5.9 seconds. Six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission is an extra-cost option -- £1,400 -- and it slows down the S4 by just a whisker. It can hit 62mph in 6.2 seconds, with top speed electronically governed at 155mph.

Volvo's C70 is scarcely less impressive. Minimum specification includes: a fully-powered roof, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, performance audio system, aluminium trim, leather sports steering wheel and gear knob, electronic climate control, cruise control and front fog lights.

The retractable hard top transforms the C70 from a stylish coupe to a convertible in under 30 seconds.

Dynamic handling and performance are provided by two powerful, refined, five cylinder petrol engines - a 170bhp 2.4i, and a 220bhp T5. A 180bhp D5 turbodiesel is due to follow in the middle of next year.

With a sales forecast of only 3,000 cars in the UK next year, the C70 will retain exclusivity, especially in comparison to the much larger volumes sold by some of the other premium brand rivals.

Prices start at £26,200 for a 2.4i Sport, rising to £33,225 for the T5 SE Lux.

Finally, there's a saving to be made on one of the smallest soft-tops, too.

The Mini tlc maintenance offer, which covers all servicing costs on a new Mini Cabriolet - or any other mini model, for that matter - for five years/50,000 miles for just £150, has given drivers a £60 million boost, reckons motor trade pricing 'bible' Glass's Guide.

The tlc offer has saved Mini owners, Glass's reckons, £30 million when compared to servicing costs incurred by similar small car owners, and has boosted the sales price of used Minis by the same amount again.