| New Model Preview | BMW M3 Convertible |
Today, BMW posted the very first pictures and details of its new M3 Convertible on its German media website. Our German comes courtesy of Google Translator, so bear with us. The important numbers are all present and correct though, including the same 4.0-litre V8 pushing out 414bhp at a screaming 8,300rpm as the
M3 Coupé.
The Convertible is significantly heavier than its hard-top brother though, tipping the scales at over 1,800kg, so the 0-62mph sprint takes half a second longer, at 5.3 seconds, though the Convertible still easily reaches its electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.
No doubt a huge amount of work has gone on under the body to maintain structural rigidity, even with the metal roof folded away. That body is styled as you'd expect, with the bulging aluminium bonnet, deep bumpers and sharply muscular wings complemented by the characteristic quad exhausts and the M3 motif on the front wings. White does the Convertible no favours when the roof is raised though, as the joins stand out in contrasting black. And no, the roof will not be available in carbon fibre.
No surprises then? Actually... Look through the gallery of photographs and you may notice something odd about the gearstick in the interior shots. Though the gear shifter looks just like the item used in the SMG-equipped
M5 and
M6, it is in fact a new system BMW calls M-DCT (M Double Clutch Transmission). As the name suggests, it is similar in concept to VW's DSG 'box and is said to have seven ratios, switchable using the lever or paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. A six-speed manual will be standard with the M-DCT likely to cost about £2,500 and we expect it to be rolled out to the Coupé and M3 saloon too in time.
BMW will show the new M3 Convertible to the public at the
Geneva Motor Show in March, after which we'll be picking out some nice new sunglasses and begging BMW for a drive before the summer sun gets too hot. Expect UK prices to start at £55,000 with cars arriving in time for the summer.
Shane O' Donoghue - 16 Jan 2008