The new BMW 1 Series Convertible

BMW UK has announced the first details of the new BMW 1 Series Convertible, the
world's first premium convertible in the compact segment. Powered by four- and
six-cylinder engines, from the entry-level 143hp 118i Convertible to the 'bahn-
storming 306hp 135i Convertible, the open-topped 1 Series uses elements of BMW'
s EfficientDynamics programme to deliver high-performance, economical and
low-emission, roof-down motoring.

See downloadable document for table of technical data.

The Convertible is the fourth derivative of 1 Series to be launched and will
carry over much of the styling and technology from the recently-announced Coupé
model. The obvious addition is an electro-hydraulic fabric roof that opens or
closes in 22 seconds, and at speeds of up to 25mph. The convertible roof is
available in classic black, beige or, as a world first, an innovative
anthracite silver fleck which is a fabric material interwoven with fine shiny
metallic fibres.

Exterior design - elongated and elegant.
Viewed from any angle, the BMW 1 Series genes are clear in the new
Convertible. From the front, BMW's trademark double headlamp unit and large
kidney grilles dominate. In profile, the relationship to the Coupé is clear.
Both cars share a virtually identical silhouette and the classic long bonnet,
short overhangs and set-back greenhouse proportions. The distinctive,
horizontal shoulder line runs from the front of the bonnet, through the long,
frameless doors, and onto the end of the boot lid. This line visually connects
the front and rear. It is complemented by the 1 Series' typical lower swage
line and contoured sill, both designed to visually elongate the appearance of
the car.

From the rear, the boot lid finishes in a discrete lip spoiler that houses the
integrated third brake light and typical L-shaped rear light clusters use
LED-powered light conductors.

Also in common with Coupé models, purchasers of 135i Convertibles receive the M
Sport aerodynamic package as standard. Visually striking and dynamically
effective, the 135i Convertible features a redesigned, sporting front valance
with large air intakes assisting engine breathing and brake cooling.
Re-profiled sill panels and a rear diffuser integrated into the rear bumper add
to the car's sportiness. The 135i Convertible also features 17-inch light
alloy wheels and six-pot brake callipers on the brakes (two-pot on the rear).

Interior design - options from further up the range.
The interior of the new BMW 1 Series Convertible features stretched horizontal
lines that visually dominate the cockpit. With space for four occupants and
305 litres of boot space with the roof up (260 litres with the roof down),
there is plenty of room to convey occupants and luggage over the longest of
journeys.

In line with the recently launched 3 Series and 6 Series Convertible, owners of
1 Series Convertible models benefit from SunReflective Leather Technology
whenever leather seat coverings are specified. BMW is the only manufacturer to
offer this innovative technology that uses 'cool pigments' during production to
reflect infrared rays of sunlight. This reduces the surface temperature of the
seat surfaces by up to 20 degrees Celsius when compared to conventional leather
upholstery.

Also carried over from the new BMW 3 Series Convertible are specific settings
for the air conditioning system. Alongside the standard 'gentle', 'medium' and
'intensive' settings, the system recognises when the roof has been opened and
defaults to a 'convertible' mode. In this situation, the ventilation control
reacts less to the interior temperature and more to the outside temperature and
sunlight factors to establish the intensity of the ventilation supplied.

Safety is of paramount importance for BMW and the 1 Series Convertible comes
with an additional tier of protection in the event of a roll-over. A sensor
registers an imminent danger and, alongside the relevant airbag deployment, two
roll-over bars extend from behind the rear seats in a fraction of a second to
protect the safety cell.

Engines - high-performance open-topped motoring.
At its launch, the new BMW 1 Series Convertible will be offered with four
petrol and one diesel engine. The five launch models are -

BMW 135i Convertible.
Straight six cylinder petrol engine with Twin Turbo and High-precision direct
injection.
Capacity: 2,979cc. Output: 306hp at 5,800 min. Torque: 400 Nm at 1,300-5,000
min. Acceleration from 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds. Top speed: 155mph
(electronically limited). Average consumption and CO2 emission figures not yet
available.

BMW 125i Convertible.
Straight six cylinder petrol engine with magnesium aluminium alloy crankcase,
double VANOS and VALVETRONIC. Capacity: 2,996cc. Output: 218hp at 6,100 min.
Torque: 270 Nm at 2, 500min. Acceleration from 0-62mph: 6.8 seconds. Top
speed: 148mph. Average consumption: 34.9mpg with CO2 emissions: 195g/km.

BMW 120i Convertible.
In-line four cylinder petrol engine with High-precision direct injection.
Capacity: 1,995cc. Output: 170hp at 6,700min. Torque: 210Nm at 4,250min.
Acceleration from 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds. Top speed: 137mph. Average
consumption: 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions: 158g/km.

BMW 118i Convertible.
In-line four cylinder petrol engine with High Precision Direct Injection.
Capacity: 1,995cc. Output: 143hp at 6,000min. Torque: 190Nm at 4, 250min.
Acceleration 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds. Top speed: 130mph. Average consumption and
CO2 emission figures not yet available.

BMW 120d Convertible.
In-line four cylinder diesel engine with turbo charge and common rail direct
injection. Diesel Particulate Filter fitted as standard. Capacity: 1,995cc.
Output: 177hp at 4,000min. Torque: 350 Nm at 1,750- 3,000min. Acceleration
0-62mph: 8.1 seconds. Top speed: 138mph. Average consumption and CO2 emission
figures not yet available.

EfficientDynamics - balancing power, economy and emissions
The new BMW 1 Series Convertible is the latest in the line of BMW models
announced in 2007 to benefit from a raft of performance and economy measures
under the banner of BMW EfficientDynamics.

Brake Energy Regeneration features on all models and uses intelligent
Alternator Control and an Absorbent Glass Matt battery to harness engine power
that would normally have been lost during engine over-run or braking. An
optimum gear shift indicator also features on all manual-gearbox cars to inform
the driver of the appropriate gear for the most economical driving.

All models feature a new, clutched air conditioning pump. When not in use, the
pump decouples and uses only 200 watts, or ten per cent, of the normal power
needed to drive a conventional pump. In addition, other than the range-topping
135i Convertible, all models feature electronic power steering. In contrast to
conventional hydraulic power steering, the 1 Series' electronic system operates
on an 'on demand' basis, reducing engine output normally needed to power the
steering hydraulics.

All four-cylinder manual gearbox cars feature BMW's Auto Start-Stop system as
standard. In urban traffic, when the gear is deselected and the clutch pedal
raised, the engine automatically cuts out, thus eliminating emissions and any
fuel consumption while static. When the traffic starts moving, the clutch is
depressed in order to select the gear to pull away and, immediately, the engine
fires back into life.

Drivetrain and chassis - a supple yet sporting drive
All BMW 1 Series models feature a six-speed manual gearbox as standard with
owners able to opt for a six-speed automatic gearbox on all models. Steering
wheel-mounted paddles enabling manual shifts of the auto 'box are standard on
135i cars and optional on 125i models.

Finally, in common with 135i Coupé customers, purchasers of 135i Convertible
models also benefit from BMW's electronic differential lock. Promoting a
sporting and involving style of driving, the electronic differential lock works
when the car is accelerating hard out of corners or tight bends. In this
situation, it electronically slows the spinning inside rear wheel to enhance
vehicle traction and ensure that all available power is transferred to the road.

Pricing and on-sale information of all new BMW 1 Series Convertible models will
be announced at a later date.

Ends