The BMW Series-1 convertible offers a surprising amount of thrills - although it might be better reserved for the ladies, writes Paddy Comyn.
IT IS hard to keep up with the ever-growing BMW range of late. The 1-Series has been on sale for a few years now but remains an infant compared to the other long-standing family members.
It started with the five-door and, while it was moderately successful, it received a fairly lukewarm reception.
This has prompted some additions to the series, namely a three-door version, a coupé version and this latest model - a convertible.
With these new variants, the 1-Series seems to have found its groove and the range of efficient dynamic engines mean that not only are they good-looking but they won't cost you an arm and a leg to run either.
Of course, small premium convertibles such as this won't be to everyone's taste.
They will appeal to a female audience primarily and BMW are well aware of this and pretty unapologetic about it. The 1-Series convertible arrives at a time when key rival Audi has also released its own competitor in this sector, the Audi A3 cabriolet. Both have three-doors and both opt for fabric roofs instead of the emerging trend of heavy folding metal hard tops.
The idea is to make them light, fun to drive and stylish: something that seldom happens when they are saddled with all that metal to fold up into the boot.
The cabriolet version is based on the 1-Series Coupé and this means that it has decent driving dynamics, which we are pretty used to from this marque anyway.
Admittedly the convertible is significantly heavier and this will sap some of the engine's guts, but this could have been a lot worse if a folding hard top had been used instead.
Visually, the 1-Series cabriolet is a good-looking car. It is muscular where it needs to be, and although our test car wasn't blessed with the best colour - a rather insipid gold - the compact design is thankfully not spoiled by too many changes to make it into a rag top.
Step inside and the cabin feels like a real cockpit. The driving position really is first class - it is easy to get comfortable and you are encouraged into a very upright and controlled driving position.
Space is fine for the front seat passengers and it isn't that bad for those in the rear either. Sure, taller adults will find things a little tight back there, but children, the most likely occupants, get along just fine.
Boot space is 260 litres with the roof down and 305 litres with the roof up. This isn't half bad for this type of car and I managed to fit in a week's holiday's worth of luggage in there without too much fuss.
As you might expect, the 1-Series is entertaining to drive. However, the addition of the extra weight, even though it is a rag top, saps some of the fun slightly.
The 120i has a 170bhp 4-cylinder and, while this is peppy enough, there is a notable drain when it is wrapped in this slightly heavier body shell.
The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) does a good job of keeping things under control and, should you want a little bit more fun, you can always hit the DTC button which allows for a little bit more freedom and playfulness. This translates into a little more tail sliding when you push the car hard, but the system is always working away in the background to keep a close eye on things.
What is remarkable about the 1-Series cabriolet is that it is refined, roof down or up.
Roof up and it is well insulated with little sound intrusion from the outside. The same can be said when the roof is down, especially when the wind deflector is in place as it sits over the rear seats and pretty much eliminates the usual hair tousling bluster that commonly accompanies cars such as this.
The roof mechanism itself is pretty straightforward. It is a plain and simple rag top with a powered mechanism. The whole lowering and raising operation takes about 22 seconds and can be done up to a speed of 40km/h.
The 1-Series convertible isn't quite as entertaining to drive as its coupé cousin, but certainly will be agile enough for most palates.
With a car like this, aimed not at the shy and retiring, you imagine that speeding on through will be the furthest thing from the driver's mind. This is a car which will no doubt be as much a fashion accessory as the sunglasses the driver will undoubtedly be sporting at all times.
There is always a certain amount of derision reserved for the owners of cars like these. Especially if you are male. If you are female, then it works okay, but if you are male, you tend to get odd looks and cutting remarks from men driving white vans because, on a sunny day, with the roof down, it's almost impossible not to look smug. And a bit loaded.
Speaking of money, this car and the soon-to-arrive Audi A3 cabriolet fall oddly between price points. They are more expensive than the likes of the Opel Astra twin top and Ford Focus coupé cabriolet, mainly because of their premium badge and build, yet are smaller than both. However, the 1-Series is infinitely better to drive than these heavy, lumpy alternatives and punches way above its weight in terms of sheer class and kudos.
The real head-to-head, of course, will be between the 1-Series convertible and the Audi A3 cabriolet. We have driven both at their European launches and they are certainly different cars.
The A3 feels a little perkier than the 1-Series, but not quite as upmarket.
However, the Audi is cheaper and that means you can upspec the A3 for less money than the 1-Series. Even with an SE spec model 1-Series there are still plenty of options boxes to tick, so this can add up to an expensive car.
A drive of the Audi on Irish roads, which we will do in the coming weeks, will separate these two particular German topless models.
Plus, we already know the advantages BMWs will have after July 1st, thanks to their engine range.
While we liked the 120i, it might not be the engine we would choose in this car.
Top of the range is the 306bhp 3.0-litre straight-six Twin Turbo found in the 135i, followed by the car we drove at the European launch, the excellent 218bhp six-cylinder 125i. For me, although it costs that little bit extra - €4,315 to be exact - it does feel worth it for what is a livelier engine.
There is also a 143bhp 118i respectively and the low emission diesel range model offered initially is the 120d.
The 120d SE model starts at €51,560 but, due to its excellent fuel efficiency and low CO2 rating, this will drop by a staggering €7,603 after July 1st. But the price reductions are not just confined to the diesel versions.
The 118i petrol and 120i petrol will drop significantly in price too and enjoy lower road tax rates from July 1st. Just the 125i will increase in price, but even it will enjoy a lower annual road tax.
So, unless you plan to buy the 125i 1-Series convertible, don't even dream of buying the other models until July 1st, unless you really do need to get access to the sunshine before then.
After that date, it will be hard to ignore the €44,047 120d, which falls into emissions band B, asking for a slender €150 road tax per annum from its keeper.
On its own merits, the 1-Series is more likeable than even this writer thought it would be. There is a natural instinct to feel that these sort of vehicles can be a little wishy washy and all mouth and no trousers.
The 1-Series feels like a proper little convertible in the true tradition of its ancestors.
Factfile
Engine: 1,995cc four-cylinder petrol engine putting out 170bhp @ 6,700rpm and 210Nm of torque @ 4,250.
Six-speed manual transmission
Specification: Standard features include 16 alloy wheels double spoke design, electric windows front and rear, electric door mirrors, heated door mirrors, remote central locking, automatic air conditioning, armrest with storage compartment, Aux port for iPod, multi info display, leather steering wheel, start/stop button, multi-function controls for steering wheel, ABS brakes, front and side airbags, Park Distance Control rear, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, rollover protection system
L/100KM (mpg): urban: 8.9 (31.7); extra-urban: 5.2 (54.3); combined: 6.6 (42.8)
CO2 emissions: 158/km (Band D - 24 per cent VRT post-July 1st)
Annual road tax: €590 (since February 1st until July 1st)
Price: €49,805