What's this all about?

Ahead of a global debut at the Paris Motor Show next month we're being given a detailed look at the new BMW 2 Series Convertible, the replacement for the 1 Series Convertible, which BMW claims was the 'world's most popular open-top premium model' in its segment - thanks to 130,000 or so sales.

So it's just a 2 Series Coupé without a roof?

Pretty much. It's wider and longer than the 1 Series Convertible, helping its appearance and increasing interior space. The boot is a little bigger too and it's easier to get into it, from behind the car and from within. The roof itself is new and BMW claims to have improved refinement and sound insulation. It can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 30mph and the process takes 20 seconds.

Any surprises under the bonnet?

Not really, unless you call the inclusion of the M235i Convertible in the launch line-up surprising. It comes with the same turbocharged straight-six engine as the Coupé, producing 326hp and 450Nm of torque. No doubt it'll sound even better with the roof stowed. The 'unladen' weight of the M235i Convertible is quoted as between 1,675- and 1,695kg depending on specification, which is about 145kg more than the Coupé, yet the open-topped car is only 0.2 seconds slower to 62mph, at 5.0 seconds dead in automatic guise.

And for those of us with less than £35,000 to spend?

Other models detailed at launch include the 220i and 228i, both powered by the venerable 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and the 220d, which is a canny buy, marrying 190hp with emissions of as low as 108g/km and economy as high as 68.9mpg.

You've not mentioned pricing...

BMW UK has released some pricing, but not the extensive list. The 220i Sport Convertible is £29,180; the 220d Sport Convertible is £29,965; the 228i M Sport Convertible costs £31,550; and the range-topping M235i Convertible is priced at £37,710. At launch, the 220i and 220d will be available in Sport, Luxury or M Sport specifications, with SE (and other engines presumably) arriving later. The new cabrio is officially on sale in February 2015.

Shane O' Donoghue - 9 Sep 2014