Video: Footage of the new BMW 1 Series Convertible
| First Drive | Valencia, Spain | BMW 1 Series Convertible |
The BMW 1 Series has been around for a while now, but BMW introduced the idea of a sub 3 Series model range way back in 2002 with its CS1 concept. That show car was a convertible, and BMW has finally delivered on its promise of producing a rag-top 1. But has it been worth the wait? Certainly on looks the 125i is a winner, the Convertible taking the
Coupé's longer body and removing the roof. It works well proportionally, roof up or down, and style is crucial in the convertible market.
With an additional 120kg of strengthening over the Coupé the 125i isn't a lightweight, but BMW has still managed to achieve 50/50 weight distribution. That manifests itself with largely neutral handling at normal speeds, understeer building if you push the 125i harder. Even with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit under the bonnet boasting 215bhp it'll be a seriously committed driver who manages to get the 125i's tail to wag under power - in the dry at least. It doesn't ever feel as quick as its 6.8 second 0-62mph time suggests either, but then there are other pleasures to be had from this compact drop-top.
Keeping the roof down allows you to experience the lovely engine note produced by the six-cylinder unit. It might not feel hugely fast, but it sounds fantastic. The exhaust burbles on the overrun, the six-cylinder unit revving smoothly all the way to its redline. There's little wind noise or intrusion to disturb the sound from the engine and exhausts - so long as the rear wind deflector is in place - even while cruising at high speed on the motorway. Using that deflector means the back seats can't be occupied, but they're so small you'd need to be a pretty serious contortionist to get comfy back there for any drive longer than a few minutes anyway.
We'd usually suggest that those seats are used for additional luggage, but the boot's actually a decent enough size for most. Like most convertibles that boot is bigger without the roof up, but unlike many of its rivals it offers load-through capability if you need to carry items such as skis or a snowboard. Importantly too - for poseurs at least - is the ability to start raising or lowering the roof at speeds of up to 24mph; once the process has started, it's possible to drive at up to 31mph as it transforms to open or closed car. The rest of the interior is much the same as its 1 Series relatives, which means BMW's usual clear instrumentation, a neat and tidy dashboard and, if optioned, iDrive. Other highlights include the auxiliary connection for the stereo and the availability of USB and full iPod integration under the centre armrest. It all feels solid and looks good, though iDrive remains as frustrating as ever - despite the inclusion of new shortcut buttons.
Minor interior irritations aside though, the 125i is an enjoyable drive. The steering is nicely weighted and accurate, although a bit more feel would improve it further. The six-speed manual gearbox, like most BMW manuals, works best when it's hurried, trying to drive it slowly resulting in a bit of shunt from the transmission. Perhaps the biggest criticism of the 1 Series range to date though has been the ride comfort. With the Convertible it's not an issue; while stiff, it is rarely harsh - even on rougher surfaces. That's likely to be down to the reduced rigidity that's inherent in an open car, even though scuttle-shake isn't apparent.
Like all 1 Series models the Convertible features BMW's latest EfficientDynamics. In the 125i it's not the all-singing stop-start system of the four-cylinder manual cars, but it does include the power scavenging brakes and clever alternator generator and electric auxiliaries that keep the engine's losses to a minimum. These allow the 125i to return a respectable combined economy figure of 34.9mpg and CO
2 emissions of 195g/km. However, if fuel economy really is important, the smaller, four-cylinder petrol units manage consumption figures in the mid 40mpg bracket, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesels achieve 55+mpg.
But the 1 Series Convertible isn't likely to be a car bought with economy and emissions in mind. It'll be bought on its styling, its prestige and, in the first year or so at least, its rarity. It won't have it all its own way though, as Audi's A3 Cabriolet arrives later and is targeting the same customers. But the BMW will be the choice for drivers, the Audi only initially offered in front-wheel drive, the BMW driving its rear wheels. It might have taken BMW a while to produce its drop-top 1, but it seems it's been worth the wait.
