To some, the heavier and less rigid Convertible version of the potent M3 may be a poser’s car, but BMW’s engineers are hard at work making the drop-top every bit as hard edged as its Coupe sibling. Numerous prototypes have been doing the hard yards around the Nürburgring in preparation for the car’s launch mid-way though next year and we can reveal to you now how the final version will look with this latest rendering based on spy images taken of the car near BMW’s plant in Munich.

Though we already know what the new M3 will look like, the recent spy images of the Cabrio version has revealed that engineer’s are sticking with the regular E93’s folding hard-top roof for the M version. There were fears the complicated folding mechanism would prove too heavy and there was even talk of both soft-top and carbon-fiber versions, but it appears as though engineers have settled with the tin-top. According to BMW’s own figures, the 335i Convertible weights a substantial 285kg more than the 335i Coupe, due mostly to extra strengthening of the lower body. This does have an added benefit of reducing the car’s center of gravity but it mostly dulls performance.

Like the M3 Coupe, the Convertible version will feature the same aggressive front bar, vented bonnet, wider fenders and quad tailpipe arrangement. Beneath the hood is the same 420hp 4.0L V8 and expect to see most models equipped with BMW’s upcoming dual-clutch gearbox. The M3 Coupe will be making an appearance at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show but we’ll have to wait until next year to get close to the convertible and sedan performance models.

BMW_M3_Cabrio.jpg

BMW_M3_Cabrio.jpg