New BMW 3 Series Convertible in Depth

Press Release

The Concept: Comfort Enhanced, Character Retained.

• Fourth edition of the Convertible based on the BMW 3 Series.

• Retractable hardtop providing a new ambience within the car and optimised noise comfort.

• Low shoulder-line and windscreen position guaranteeing a unique experience of motoring in the open air.

Well-balanced proportions – precisely this gives the new BMW 3 Series Convertible its unique appearance with the roof both open and closed. Like all its predecessors, the car comes with an unmistakable silhouette proudly presenting all its beauty also with the retractable hardtop. Thanks to the space-saving accommodation of the three roof elements in the luggage compartment, the low shoulder-line so typical of a BMW 3 Series Convertible continues into an equally low and sleek rear section.

This impression of stretched dynamics is further enhanced by the short front body overhang, the long engine compartment lid, and the long wheelbase, all these features acting together to give BMW’s open four-seater a fascinating, sporting touch.

This superior impression is enhanced to perfection by the exterior dimensions of the car: the new BMW 3 Series Convertible is 4.58 metres (180.3´´ ) long, 1.78 metres (70.1´´ ) wide, and 1.38 metres (54.3´´ ) high, making it in particular longer and lower than the BMW 3 Series Saloon. And the difference in looks versus the four-door model is by no means limited to the side-line of the car alone, since the new BMW 3 Series Convertible, like the 3 Series Coupé, also stands out through the consistently unique design of both the front and rear ends, the headlight units, the contours of the engine compartment lid and the kidney grille showing an even more individual, dynamic line.

The rear end is dominated by horizontal lines extending all the way to the structure of the rear-light clusters, highlighting the powerful impression of the car appearing to be crouching dynamically on the road.

The new 3 Series Convertible also stands out clearly from the closed two-door model, with signs of distinction borne out particularly on the roofline extending into the rear lid in a clear angle. A further significant difference is the stretched shape of the body determined by the horizontal course of the shoulder-line and continuing all the way to the rear end. Looking at the car from behind, the beholder is therefore impressed by the particularly low and open character of the new Convertible: Looking over the rear lid to the front you will clearly see the screenwipers visible on virtually the same level.

Extra freedom: that unique experience of motoring in the open air.

This unmistakable look is further enhanced on the new BMW 3 Series Convertible by an equally unique driving experience: Lowering the retractable hardtop into the rear compartment, the driver and passengers will enjoy an incomparable atmosphere of motoring in the open air characterised in particular by the low shoulder-line, the seating position moved far to the rear and the short windscreen. The result, clearly, is a feeling of open freedom all round.

With the windscreen frame remaining at a generous distance from the heads of the front occupants, the sunhine and a pleasant breeze have full, unrestricted access to the interior. And despite the sporting, low seating position, the side panels also appear strikingly low, again letting in a smooth flow of fresh wind and offering unrestricted visibility when driving the new BMW 3 Series Convertible with the roof down.

This retains yet another classic feature of the BMW 3 Series Convertible, the fourth generation of BMW’s open two-seater thus continuing the tradition that makes this model so unique. And now all these qualities in the car’s design and driving experience come out with the comfort benefits of a retractable hardtop. Even more so, the new roof structure in lightweight steel actually underlines and emphasises the characteristic features so typical of the BMW 3 Series Convertible.

Within the roof compartment, the three roof elements folding on top of one another hardly take up any more space than a soft roof with all the quality features required of a BMW. And when closed, the retractable hardtop immediately offers all its functional benefits, unlimited year-round qualities being further enhanced by excellent noise control and much better all-round visibility thanks to the large windows.

Also in its design, the retractable hardtop serves to accentuate those specific features so typical of BMW, particularly when seen from the side with the emphasis on the slim roofline. A particular highlight is added here by the decorative trim on the side-frame starting at the A-pillar and stretching round both the front and rear side windows. At the C-pillar this trim line then turns the other way with that “Hofmeister kick� so typical of BMW, moving up the shaft cover on the side panel. Indeed, the characteristic “Hofmeister kick� is even visible with the roof open, coming out clearly in the contours of the rear side window.

A new dimension of dynamic performance and all-round efficiency.

The retractable hardtop is perfectly suited for high and very high speeds, thus again accentuating another feature so typical of the new BMW 3 Series Convertible, combining elegance and driving comfort, on the one hand, with impressive dynamism, on the other. Indeed, this applies not only to the top-of-the-range BMW 335i Convertible developing 225 kW/306 hp from its 3.0-litre straight-six, but also to the other engine variants.

Supreme torsional stiffness and the most sophisticated, high-tech suspension in this segment make sure that the driver is able to enjoy all this engine power in terms of superior dynamism and performance on the road. And apart from its outstanding performance, the new BMW 3 Series Convertible also offers an unprecedented standard of all-round efficiency, with the open four-seater introducing no less than three new engines featuring High Precision Injection second-generation direct gasoline injection technology for a significant improvement of fuel economy also in everyday traffic.

Yet another outstanding example of Efficient Dynamics is the BMW 330d Convertible combining impressive muscle with supreme economy. This is indeed the first time that a BMW 3 Series Convertible is entering the market from the start with a diesel engine.

Convincing answers to growing demands.

The demands made of a Convertible in the segment of the BMW 3 Series are constantly increasing – which is precisely why the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series Convertible fulfils these many demands in a most convincing manner. Through its high standard of comfort and practical value, the new retractable hardtop meets all the growing demands of discerning customers in the premium segment. And at the same time BMW’s open four-seater is able to demonstrate its qualities even more than before as exactly the right open-air car for everyday motoring throughout the year, with absolutely no restrictions.

The sports car character of the new BMW 3 Series Convertible, in turn, is borne out by powerful engines, elaborate suspension technology, and the unique body with its extreme torsional stiffness. But even when driving the new BMW 3 Series Convertible in a less dynamic style, the name of the game remains sheer driving pleasure – wherever possible with nothing but the sky above in a world of open beauty.