Posted on Tuesday 15 January 2008
Updated: Thanks to the premature leak of M3 Convertible images earlier this week BMW was forced to released full details of the svelte muscle car even though it’s not due to make its debut until Geneva’s Motor Show in March. This is the third and latest body version of the new M3 after the Coupe and Sedan but it’s also the slowest model in the range because of the added weight of its electro-hydraulically operated retractable hardtop.
All of the performance traits of the Coupe and Sedan carry over to the Convertible including the aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome, aggressive front end with large air intakes, powerfully flared wheel arches as well as the lower waistline and unique rear end.
Powering the new droptop is BMW M’s brand-new V8 displacing 4.0L, developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp, maximum torque of 400Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm, and an maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm. This time, however, it’s available with a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission dubbed the M DKG.
First drives of the new car aren’t scheduled until after its Geneva launch, so we’ll have to wait until then to see the performance numbers of the new M DKG.
Previous: To some, the heavier and less rigid Cabrio version of the potent M3 may be a poser’s car, but BMW’s engineers are sure to have worked hard to make the drop-top every bit as tough 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 the year and we can reveal to you now the final version of the car thanks to the premature release of several official images today.
Like the M3 Coupe, the Cabrio version features the same aggressive front bar, vented bonnet, wider fenders and quad tailpipe arrangement. Beneath the hood is the same 420hp 4.0L V8 but acceleration figures will be slightly down on the coupe due to the added weight of the folding hardtop and body strengthening.
The car isn’t set to make its official debut until Geneva’s Motor Show in March, at which point BMW is also tipped to reveal its new seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Dubbed the ‘M DKG,’ the new gearbox is likely to be quicker than the manual in the 0-60mph sprint but we’ll have to wait a couple of more months until official test results are released.
What an amazing car.
But still one big flaw, the inability to put anything bigger than a briefcase in the trunk when the roof is open.
How did they figure that was supposed to work? This is a car for taking road trips in, with the top down, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, your girl next to you, and YOUR LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK!
But where should they store the metal roof if not in the trunk?! If it was still a softtop there would be no problem. In my opinion the new 3 series cabrio lost the appeal of his predecessors. The roof looks like a dome and then the short boot lit. Where is the coupé charme? The proportions just aren’t right.
proportions arent right? this thing looks stellar. i mean, nothing beats the hard top, but for a convertible, it looks damned good. yeah, the trunk isnt huge, and yeah it doesnt have a camry butt (yeah i know.. bangle butt, what ever, its more insulting to call it a camry butt), but in all fairness… ITS A 3 SERIES. lol.
lets get something straight; you’re not going on an 8 hour drive in this thing with 4 people and their luggage. if you are, then put the hard top up. im sure that trunk is at least as big as the trunk in my focus and thats big enough for 4 peoples luggage (or in its current configuration, 2 peoples luggage and 2×12 rockford subs. I know, i just spent the weekend in toronto with my GF).
so what if the trunk is all but gone when the roof is down. either ur going joy riding with up to 4 people or you and the mrs can put your luggage in the back seat. god knows this is her car anyways. you’ve got the hard top coupe (and hopefully the M3 at that). if you want more room, get the 5 series hard top. oh… no… no never mind.
guys, easy to nitpick, but this is probably the largest and most comfortable convertible today (funny, i know my uncle had a 70’s caddy that was a 2 door convertible,.. was that the el dorado? just as long as his winebeggo too). better than taking a trip in the mustang har… no wait… the cama… damn. uhm… merrrrc?? does merc even have a hard top convertible?
Word man. The coupé is always better your right. In the end it is just a question of personal. Most cabrios or roadsters does not appeal to me when they have there roofs closed. And the new 3 series is there no exception. It tries to be a coupé but it is just a cab with its metal roof on. Just my 2 cents.
What I wanted to show is that you must make some compromises when you want a metal roof cabrio. I don’t care about the luggage space. Throw everything in the back and I am fine. And who the hell wants to drive with four people in this? Am I a taxi driver? The extra people are just extra weight which suck down the performance of the car and without much those in the backseat will womit in your car after a few bends
Definitely this car looks great with the top down.
And of course I realize that the roof has to go somewhere.
But, living in southern California, and so never needing the hard top, and having a kid in the back seat, and enjoying weekend trips, I guess it just wouldn’t work for me, personally.
I guess my big quibble is this, for that money, I expect to be able to drive around with the top down and a golf bag or at least some soft luggage in the trunk, like in the Mercedes CLK and Audi S4, for example…
Or Jaguar XKR, which also look and sounds much better…
Yeah but here in Germany, where some bavarian guys made up their mind about this car, it is right at the moment cold, wet and stormy and a metal roof is quite a nice thing if you don’t want to buy another car. But maybe you should consider the new green F430 Spider to prevent smog Gus
oh well, dont worry, the next generation mustang will have a hard top all glass convertible roof, so no point in squabbling over this. 8|
yeah, gus, i can see how you would be shopping for the soft top. do they not make it any more? forgive me, i dont care much for convertibles. with moon roofs, and now all glass roofs, i just dont really.. get it. then again, theres only about 7 months of true convertible weather around detroit so…. my GF’s dad has a mustang GT convertible; rarely drives it. I dont know if the roof has ever been up… it just sits in the garage, waiting for a good sunday.
PS, the back seat of a mustang sucks.
It really is a car for areas where the weather is not that great and you really want a convertible. Perfect for Europe.
The back seat of the Mustang is perfect…for my 4 year old daughter…