| New Body Style | BMW 1 Series Convertible |
We'll shortly be among the first people let loose in the cool new BMW 1 Series Coupé, but the ink has barely dried on reports from that car's debut in
Frankfurt last month and BMW has already announced that the range will be extended further by the addition of a new Convertible model.
The new open-topped variant is essentially the Coupé without its roof, but designers have managed to retain a profile - with the roof raised at least - that follows that of the Coupé. At the same time, the electric-folding fabric roof folds almost completely flat under a cover, giving the 1 Series shape an elegance it usually lacks. It is highly unlikely it would have been possible to do that if BMW opted for a folding hardtop configuration, as is used on the
3 Series Convertible.
Boot space and rear passenger carrying may have been compromised too, but BMW reports a modest reduction in cargo volume over the regular 1 Series and there are two seats in the back, though we'll have to wait a while to try them out for ourselves.
From launch, the Convertible line-up will follow that of the Coupé, with four petrol models and just one turbodiesel. The latter is the top-selling 120d, while petrol models range from the 118i to the muscular 135i, the latter featuring a bespoke styling kit, as in the Coupé.
We'll know more as prices and a launch date are released, but needless to say the 1 Series Convertible will inherit some of the features fitted to the 6 Series and 3 Series Convertible, such as 'SunReflective' leather and a top that can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 25mph.
We expect to see the new 1 Series derivative at the
Los Angeles Motor Show in December, a market it will go down particularly well in.
Shane O' Donoghue - 4 Oct 2007