BMW 3 Series Convertible unveiled

Its public undressing is still more than two months away -- the covers come off at the Detroit motor show on January 7 -- but BMW has already released the first official images of its new 3 Series Convertible.

The big news? The latest-generation cabrio features a folding hardtop -- rather than a canvas jobbie -- and it's the first time such an arrangement has been offered by the Bavarian brigade.

In addition to the hardtop, the new 3 Series Convertible also debuts a feature dubbed 'SunReflective seat cooling leather' that promises to not scald your derriere when you slide in on a stinking-hot summer's day.

Another world-first being claimed for the car is that it's reportedly the only convertible to date to offer through-load luggage storage.

The open-topped 3 Series will be offered initially in 325i and 335i guises, but BMW says smaller-engined variants and diesels will follow in due course. We can expect it here around mid-2007.

BMW boasts the three-piece electronically-operated hard-top can be stowed or deployed in about 22 seconds. It features a larger rear glass windscreen and side windows, and the benefits of these are that visibility has improved by 38 per cent compared with the outgoing 3 Series Convertible, according to BMW.

Why did the spinning propeller badge go the folding hard-top route? The answer lies in the added security and refinement that this configuration brings, along with a "greater feeling of space and light for occupants".

It also gives the 3 Series Convertible a point of difference vis-à-vis the drop-top variants of the Mercedes CLK and Audi A4, both of which adhere to the traditional ragtop formula.

BMW claims the way the roof folds means luggage space isn't pitifully small -- you can stash 350 litres worth of stuff with the lid up, or 210 litres when it's tucked out of sight. Storage space can be further supplemented by folding flat the rear seats, which is a feature hitherto unseen in a convertible.

As an option, a through loading system with transport bag can also be specified to allow for longer or bulkier items to be stashed and it can still be used when the folding metal roof is lowered.

As mentioned earlier, the new BMW 3 Series Convertible can also be specified with the Sun-Reflective Technology leather upholstery, which has special pigments embedded into the leather help reflect infra-red radiation.

Bimmer says this ensures treated areas that are exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period can remain up to 20 degrees cooler compared to untreated leather. No more singed botties, then…

Engine choices will initially comprise a 163kW/270Nm 2.5-litre inline six and a range-topping twin-turbo 3.0-litre unit with 228kW/400Nm. The former is claimed to knock off the 0-100km/h dash in 7.6sec, while the flagship needs only 5.8sec.

Euro-spec cars will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual and six-speed paddle-shift auto transmissions, but we're likely to get only the latter.