2008 BMW 1 Series Convertible Preview

BMW's New Baby Convertible

Not long after it announced the 1 Series Coupe, BMW has followed up with a convertible confirmed for 2008.

BMW has announced that it will sell a convertible version of its new 1 Series Coupe starting in 2008. The two-door four-seater will come in two versions — 128i and 135i.

A power-operated soft top is standard and can be raised or lowered in 22 seconds at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. The top is available in three colors: black, taupe and a new finish called Moonlight Black, unique to the 1 Series Convertible. The treatment incorporates “shiny metallic fibers that shimmer in sunlight,” the company says.

Another high-tech material is optional on the car’s interior: One of the three optional leather upholsteries is treated with special pigments that minimize ultraviolet-ray absorption and keep the interior surfaces up to 20 degrees cooler than conventional leather upholstery. The effect is particularly noticeable with darker interior colors, BMW says. Faux leather is standard.

The two convertibles will feature the same inline six-cylinder engines offered in the 1 Series Coupes. The 128i convertible will feature a 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, and the the 135i convertible gets a 300-hp turbocharged version of the same. Both the 128i and 135i will power the rear wheels through either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

The 1 Series has been on sale in Europe since 2004 as a coupe, three-door hatchback and five-door hatchback. Currently, BMW plans to sell only the coupe and convertible versions here. BMW spokesman Vincent Kung said that BMW does not see a viable market for luxury hatchbacks in the U.S. There is no word yet on whether the 1 Series Convertible will appear in any other markets worldwide.

For the American market, the emphasis for these small cars is on performance: The 1 Series Coupe and Convertible feature the same engines as offered in the larger, heavier 3 Series Coupe and Convertible, meaning that, in theory, the smaller, lighter 1 Series should offer even greater performance than the already sporty 3 Series.

With four seats, the 1 Series Convertible may also be more practical than its size suggests. At the time this article was published, BMW had not released information on whether the convertible top and associated mechanisms will reduce trunk space. But a folding rear seat will be optional to help transport long or bulky items.

The 128i will be available in early spring, and the 135i soon after, both as 2008 models, although in what quantities remains unknown. Pricing on the vehicles was unavailable at publication time and said BMW it has not yet determined what options will be offered.

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Chris Diken contributed to this article.