BMW's new convertible

BMW has released the first official images of its new 3-Series convertible with its new folding metal roof.

Available from next March, it will initially come in 325i and 335i guises, but there will be smaller engined and diesel variants on offer later in the year. Prices for the 325i start at €66,600 while the 335i starts at €74,850.

This is BMW's first foray into the growing market for folding metal hard-tops and initial reports suggest that while the three-piece electronically-operated roof will have all the attractions of other coupé convertible competitors, there is a price to be paid in terms of performance.

The roof and its motors add 200kg to the car and that leaves the 325i version with the capacity to reach 100km/h from start in 7.5 seconds, while the regular coupé manages it in 6.9 seconds. The new 3-litre twin-turbocharged 335i has a 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds compared with 5.5 seconds for the normal coupé. The new roof can be stowed or raised in approximately 22 seconds and bootspace is 350 litres with the roof up and 210 litres with it folded down. However, to compensate for the loss of storage space, the rear seats can be folded flat to provide additional space.

Other features include sun reflective seat cooling leather. The German engineers claim that special pigments embedded into the leather help reflect infra-red radiation ensuring treated areas that are exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period can remain up to 20 degrees cooler compared to untreated leather.

The new car will make its official debut at the Detroit motor show in January.

While this signals a change in direction for BMW, it is reported that the roof of the next generation 6-Series convertible will remain a canvas top.