International presskit: The new BMW 3 Series Convertible

1. Open Beauty.The new BMW 3 Series Convertible.(Short Version) p3 2. Description in Brief p13 3. Concept: Comfort Enhanced, Character Retained p15 4. Design: Elegance and Dynamism in Perfect Harmony p18 5. The Retractable Hardtop:Greater Comfort, Solidity and Value p22 6. Drivetrain: Entering a new Age of Efficient Dynamics p25 7. Automatic Transmission p31 8. Chassis and Suspension:Where Power becomes Performance p35 9. Body and Safety:Greater Torsional Stiffness and Safety than any other Convertible before p39 10. Interior and Equipment:Greater Driving Pleasure per Kilometre p42 11. Production: Quality, Flexibility and Environmental Care p49 12. History: Unique for 20 Years - The BMW 3 Series Convertible p52 13. Specifications p54 14. Exterior and Interior Dimensions p56 15. Output and Torque Diagrams p58

Curtains open for the new BMW 3 Series Convertible!

The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series Convertible is making its appearance
- and at the same time the new car marks an important premiere in the history
of BMW. For this is the first BMW 3 Series Convertible to feature a retractable
hardtop protecting the car's occupants from wind and weather. The three-piece
roof in lightweight steel plate structure closes fully automatically within
just 23 seconds over the passenger compartment, opening a bit faster in
precisely 22 seconds and disappearing completely into the rear end of BMW's
open two-door.

The retractable hardtop gives the new BMW 3 Series Convertible a truly unique
standard of comfort, solidity and value not to be found anywhere else in this
segment. And at the same time it preserves the elegance and uniqueness
characteristic of this model just like the uniquely open driving experience.

Fascinating innovations are also be found within the engine bay, the new
3 Series Convertible for the first time featuring newly developed six-and four-
cylinder power units with direct gasoline injection. The top model in the range
is the BMW 335i Convertible, with a Twin Turbo straight-six power unit
developing maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp. And when launched in Europe on 24
March 2007, BMW's new open four-seater will also come in the guise of the BMW
330d Convertible featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine with an
all-aluminium crankcase and the latest generation of common-rail fuel injection.

Even at high speeds, the new roof structure ensures an incomparable standard of
smoothness and silence inside the car. And the extremely stiff body with
supreme torsional stiffness provides ideal conditions for superior agility and
dynamism on the road. In terms of flexural stiffness, the new BMW 3 Series
Convertible offers the highest standard ever achieved by an open-air BMW.
Harmonious weight distribution and the sophisticated chassis and suspension
further enhance the sporting characteristics of this unique car.