The new BMW 3 Series Convertible

Made of lightweight steel plate, the three-piece roof extends up to cover the passenger compartment fully automatically in just 23 seconds, and opens up even faster in precisely 22 seconds, folding smoothly into the rear compartment of BMW’s open two-door.

The new BMW 3 Series Convertible is beautiful to behold both when open and closed, boasting all the elegance and unique style so characteristic of this very special car. Indeed, the long and sleek engine compartment lid, the low shoulder-line and the low-slung rear end make the new BMW 3 Series Convertible absolutely unmistakable in every respect and from every angle. And now the new, retracting hardtop offers a standard of all-round comfort, solidity, and value quite unique in this segment. 

The innovations to be admired within the engine compartment are just as fascinating, with the new BMW 3 Series Convertible boasting a two-model line-up in South Africa.

The top-of-the-range model is the BMW 335i Convertible featuring a six-cylinder power unit complete with Twin Turbo technology providing maximum output of 225 kW, 400Nm and acceleration to 100km/h in 5,8 seconds will become available locally in the second quarter of 2007.

A second derivative, the BMW 330i Convertible – with a maximum output of 200 kW, peak torque of 320 Newton-metres and acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds – will become available around three months later. At this early stage, pricing for both models is still unconfirmed.

Three-piece roof structure in lightweight steel plate.

The new roof structure ensures a lower level of noise than ever before also
at high speeds – and at the same time the bodyshell with its extreme torsional stiffness offers everything required for supreme agility and dynamism. Indeed, through its outstanding torsional stiffness, the new BMW 3 Series Convertible offers the highest standard of strength and rigidity ever achieved by an open-air BMW. The sporting characteristics of the car are further enhanced by harmonious weight distribution and outstanding suspension technology enabling the new BMW 3 Series Convertible to handle even the most dynamic and challenging situations in supreme style.

Open or closed – unmistakable at all times.

The new BMW Convertible is characterised by well-balanced proportions and a unique look with the roof both open and closed. Like its predecessor, the car boasts an unmistakable silhouette clearly displaying all its features and strengths even with the retracting hardtop.

With the three roof elements folding conveniently into the luggage compartment and presenting minimum space requirements, the new model continues the low shoulder-line so typical of a BMW 3 Series Convertible, complete with its low-slung rear section. The short front overhang, long engine compartment lid and long wheelbase also enhance the impression
of stretched dynamism, combining these unique lines with powerful shapes and contours to give this elegant four-seater a truly thrilling look of sportiness and style.

When closed, the “greenhouse”, as the passenger compartment is called
in technical terms, becomes yet another symbol of superior dynamics,
the engine compartment lid sweeping smoothly and gently into the sharply inclined A-pillar. The roofline then drops slightly towards the rear and remains slim and slender around the C-pillar, and joins the rear end of the car at a distinct angle.

This unique design makes the new BMW 3 Series Convertible truly unmistakeable even with its roof closed.