Cabrio 1-Series out in open

This is ‘one’ BMW you’ll certainly be seen in – it’s the new 1-Series Con­vertible! Following on from the Coupé version, these are the first official pictures of the striking drop-top, which will further extend the model range when it goes on sale here in the spring.

The newcomer allows BMW to steal a march on arch-rival Audi, as it will arrive in showrooms ahead of the A3 Cabriolet (Issue 975), which is due in summer 2008. With an electric folding cloth roof, leather trim and a 306bhp turbo petrol engine for the flagship, the 1-Series is certain to be a hit.

As with the Coupé, the Convertible adds a curvier lower spoiler, sporty door sills and a shapely rear bumper to the baby BMW’s design. But the biggest change is the roof.

The electrically operated soft-top can be raised or lowered in 22 seconds at speeds of up to 25mph. It folds completely flat at the touch of a button, leaving a simple rear deck with a third brake lamp integrated into the bootlid spoiler and new LED tail-lights.

The hood is available in a range of colours, including a new finish with shiny threads woven into the fabric to give a metallic look in sunlight.

Inside, the cabin is identical to other 1-Series models’, although it is available with a more powerful climate control system which – as in the 3-Series drop-top – has a special setting to keep the interior temperature constant when the roof is folded. This combines with a wind deflector behind the rear headrests to provide maximum comfort.

Luggage room is tight, at 240 litres with the lid stowed – that’s 90 litres less than in the hatch. But some space is clawed back by a special stor­age area that becomes available when the roof is up, liberating 40 litres of additional carrying capacity.

There’s also the option of a clever ‘Transit Bag’. This emerges through a hatch in the rear seats, and can carry two sets of golf clubs or two snowboards, while an optional rack is available with space for two bicycles.

Other neat features include special pigments in the leather trim that reflect the sun’s heat energy, preventing the seats getting too hot on summer days.

Safety is top of the agenda, with twin rollover bars which pop up from behind the rear headrests if necessary. A full complement of airbags, active headrests and traction and stability control systems are standard, too.

With its front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout, the 1-Series Convertible is aimed at keen drivers – and no var­iant more so than the flagship 135i, which features a 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo engine delivering 306bhp.

This car is capable of 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. To cope with the pace, it features M Sport sus­pension and larger brakes, along with a bodykit, branded 18-inch alloys and a unique leather steering wheel.

As well as the 306bhp 135i, buyers will have a choice of 143bhp 118i, 170bhp 120i and 218bhp 125i petrol models. Only one diesel – the 175bhp 120d – will be available from launch, with a 201bhp 123d to arrive later.

All cars get the Efficient Dyna­mics system – which includes brake energy regeneration – but the 118i, 120i and 120d also have Auto Stop-Start, which cuts the engine in stationary traffic.

Although BMW bosses have yet to reveal prices, the 1-Series Convertible line-up is expected to range from around £22,000 for the entry-level 118i to £30,000 for the 135i.