Cabrio

Cabrio is a term used for a class of motor vehicles that feature a foldable or retractable roof, allowing open-air driving. In automotive usage, cabrio is often synonymous with cabriolet; in many markets, particularly in Europe, cabrio is common shorthand, while "convertible" is more typical in American English.

The word cabriolet originates from the French cabriolet, historically referring to a light horse-drawn carriage with a folding top. The term was adopted for motor cars in the early 20th century and remains in use to describe open-top body styles.

Roof configurations vary. Soft-top cabriolets use a fabric roof that folds or rolls away. Retractable hardtop cabriolets employ a rigid metal roof that folds into the trunk space. Some models use removable roof panels or semi-convertible arrangements, sometimes called Targa styles. Roadsters are a related category, typically two-seat and focused on sportiness; many cabrios are four-seat or 2+2 configurations.

Open-top designs typically require additional structural reinforcement, which can increase weight and reduce trunk space and rigidity compared with fixed-roof cars. Modern engineering mitigates these issues with reinforced pillars, rollover protection, and active safety systems.

Cabrio models span from compact convertibles to luxury models, and manufacturers label various open-top cars as Cabrio or Cabriolet to emphasize the open-air driving experience. Notable examples include models marketed as cabriolets by brands such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford.

See also: cabriolet, convertible, roadster.