For some, if a car's roof can come down, then automatically, they might classify it as a cabriolet. However, there are some distinct differences between the different body styles, and in this article, we will point them out. For added knowledge, we will also include popular terms such as convertible, Spider and Spyder.
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Related: AutoTrader's Engines & Body Types Glossary of Terms
Cabriolet vs roadster
Originally, a vehicle with a roof that went down was called a convertible, as the vehicle would convert from a closed-top to an open-top model. The French started calling such models cabriolets, and many automakers liked the sound of it and started implementing it in their naming conventions. But what defines a convertible or cabriolet today?
Cabriolet / Convertible
Today's definition of either a cabriolet or convertible is a two-door, four-seat car with either a hard-top or soft-top that can be lowered and stowed away manually but more commonly with just a push of a button. Most drop-top models today take this configuration. However, there are some outliers called roadsters. A modern example of a cabriolet or convertible is the like of the new Mercedes-AMG SL-Class.
Roadster
In the past, a roadster was defined as a model that didn't offer any roof at all. Meaning that you couldn't drive it in bad weather at all unless you were prepared to get all wet. However, in recent times, roadsters have been fitted with either a folding cloth roof like with most convertibles, or a completely removable roof or even multiple roof panels that are stowed somewhere else or in the trunk of the car.
So, what sets a roadster apart from a convertible or cabriolet, then? When referring to a roadster today, you would be talking about a car with a removable or folding roof with two doors and only two seats, not four or more. Roadsters are usually also more compact, lighter and sportier than most cabriolets. A modern example of a roadster would be a new BMW Z4.
What is a Spider, Spyder and Targa?
Spider vs Spyder
Ferrari is known for their convertible models, too; most recently, the Roma Spider was unveiled globally. But do note that Spider is spelt with an "i". To be more specific, in the Ferrari naming convention, a coupe model will sometimes get the GTB or Gran Turismo Berlinetta moniker and drop-top models will get the GTS or Gran Turismo Spider moniker.
Companies like Audi and Lamborghini prefer to spell their Spyder with a "y". There is no difference, really, but if you take a closer look at the Ferrari, Audi and Lamborghini models that carry the Spyder or Spider name convention, it is applied to more traditional convertibles with two doors and four seats as well as what would typically be roadsters which offer two seats and two doors only.
However, you do find Lamborghini roadster models, for example, the Sian Roadster. Lamborghini defines a roadster as a vehicle whose removable roof can only be removed manually. In the case of the Sian Roadster models, the roof is made up of two solid panels that can be stowed in the front trunk of the vehicle.
Targa
While there are vehicles from the past that have carried the Targa moniker and roof configuration, it is most commonly associated with the Porsche brand. A Targa top is where there is a structural rollbar that forms part of the roof and is situated between the rear windscreen behind the driver and passenger seats. Then there is a roof that just connects that structure with the front windscreen surround.
In the past, like with the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, you had to manually remove this roof panel and stow it either in the trunk or behind the seats. However, Porsche has completely changed the game, and the latest Targa derivatives of the 911 allow the driver to open the roof with the press of a button.
Related: Porsche 911 Targa (2022) Review
What does Barchetta and Aperta mean?
Barchetta
The Barchetta is Italian and loosely translates to "little boat". Some Italian manufacturers would give the name to small two-door, two-seater cars that didn't come with a roof or even a full windscreen, for that matter. But later on, vehicles such as the Ferrari 550 Barchetta and Fiat Barchetta got that name even if they had a full windscreen.
Note that models such as the 550 Barchetta didn't even have a folding roof and were meant to solely be an open-top model. However, Ferrari did provide owners with a tonneau cover that could be fitted in the case of an emergency.
Aperta
Aperta is an Italian word that translates to "open". This, of course, relates to the open top of the vehicle. However, to the writer's knowledge, the Aperta nameplate has only been used by Ferrari. The Aperta moniker also only seems to be reserved for very limited edition open-top models from the Maranello-based automaker, such as the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta and the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta.
But Aperta only refers to the open-top, not the configuration of how to open the roof. While the LaFerrari Aperta and 599 SA Aperta come with panels that need to be removed or installed manually and can be stowed in the trunk, the 458 Speciale Aperta, for instance, inherited the electronic operation that was developed for the 458 Spider.
