Helping produce the Solara's wealth of energy is Toyota's VVT-i, variable valve timing technology. The resultant polished punch is capable of moving

The only engine available in the Solara is a silken 225-horsepower 3.3-litre V6. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

the 1,625 kg (3,583 lb), U.S.-made Toyota with significant zeal. Off-the-line acceleration can easily overwhelm the front 17-inch all-season rubber, but fortunately torque-steer is suitably managed in these circumstances. Once the 5-speed autobox has kicked-down to the most suitable cog, highway passing power is spry enough to instill confidence when pulling past an 18-wheeler. Unfortunately drivers with a penchant for manually mixing gears will have to settle for Toyota's Sequential Multi-Mode feature, which is a manual-mode typical of the sort so often accompanying automatic transmissions these days. Toyota's version works as intended but is at best a placebo compared to the exhilaration of shifting an authentic manual gearbox while devouring a country back-road under a cloudless sky. Too bad the Solara is stuck in the automatic world.

Despite the absence of a slick-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox, the Solara wins a special spot in my ranking of cruising convertibles. In addition to the smooth operation of its refined drivetrain, this Toyota delivers a remarkably smooth ride, albeit with noticeable cowl shudder when passing over abrupt surface deviations. Such symptoms are often difficult, if not impossible to eliminate in a vehicle not designed from the "ground up" as a convertible (the Solara loses its roof at ASC's new production facility about 15 km from Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario). A fixed roof connected to four stout pillars enhances a vehicle's structural rigidity significantly. Lopping it off without unduly compromising the

The Solara is oriented to the driver wanting an open air experience, but without sacrificing the pleasure of a smooth ride and quiet operation. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

vehicle's overall resistance to twisting and bending minute amounts requires a dose of creative engineering. In the Solara's case, a little more creativity would have perfected a near perfect ride that prioritizes comfort over handling.

Toyota achieves the smooth ride by underpinning the front of the Solara with coil springs, MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar. At the rear, an independent dual-link coil spring setup aided by a stabilizer bar keeps the car tracking true. Throwing the Solara aggressively into a corner isn't a white-knuckle experience by any stretch of the imagination. The midsize soft-top feels composed and predictable, but not to the point of earning a "sports car" label. And that clearly wasn't Toyota's aim. The Solara is more oriented to the driver wanting an open air experience, but without sacrificing the pleasure of a smooth ride and quiet operation - hey, I think that's me nowadays.