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BMW has issued the following press release:
For those whose definition of pure driving pleasure includes wind in the face and sunshine above, the new BMW 1 Series Cabriolet follows the tradition established by the iconic BMW 2002 sport sedan. The essence of such driving purity – a responsive six-cylinder engine positioned within a rear-drive chassis to provide balanced, sporty dynamics – is at the heart of this compact four-place cabriolet.
The 128i Cabriolet, which joins the new 1 Series Coupe going on sale in the spring of 2008, will be powered by BMW’s 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine generating 200 lb-ft of torque. Like its fixed-roof stablemate, the 128i Cabriolet will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium cylinder block construction-core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics.
The 135i Cabriolet features BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. With its direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooler, optimum performance and economy is achieved with no loss in engine response. For the 135i Cabriolet, acceleration from 0-62 mph is accomplished in 5.6 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Both engines feature on-demand engine coolant pumps that improve fuel economy and reduce parasitic losses for increased efficiency.
Engine line-up will be complemented by two newly developed four-cylinder powertrains with direct fuel-injection (120i Cabrio: 125 kW/170 PS; 118i Cabrio: 105 kW/143 PS) and a four-cylinder diesel (120d Cabrio: 130 kW/177 PS)
Distinctive BMW Cabriolet appearance
In a mere 22 seconds-even on the move at speeds up to 25 miles per hour-the occupants within the 1 Series Cabriolet can go from encapsulated comfort to top-down exhileration. If conditions dictate, the electro-hydraulically-operated softtop can be raised within the same 22 seconds, producing a distinctive silhouette enhanced by long frameless doors. The characteristic features of the BMW kidney-shaped grill, front skirt, door sills and rear skirt are identical to those of the 1 Series Coupe.
The standard softtop is available in either black or taupe cloth, but it is the optional Moonlight Black version which is
unique to the 1 Series Cabriolet. Interwoven with fine shiny metallic fibers, this distinctive top produces a shimmery metallic silver appearance in sunlight. The visual effect enhances the Cabriolet’s exciting range of nine colors which includes an exclusive hue: Cashmere Silver Metallic. — BMW 1-series lineup.
The standard (on the 135i) Adaptive Xenon Headlights (optional on the 128i), complete with integrated cornering lights, make driving in the dark safer than ever. The daytime headlight function, in typical BMW style, uses the four corona rings around each headlight to enhance the visibility of the car under normal and “murky” light conditions.
Cabriolet interior features technology enhanced comfort, convenience
Two unique BMW 1 Series Cabriolet features provide increased driver and passenger comfort, thus improving the overall experience regardless of the top’s position. The optional Boston leather incorporates BMW’s Sun Reflective Technology where pigments worked into the upholstery mitigate the effect of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Excessive heating of the seats and armrest is diminished, especially for darker interior colors. The overall effect can produce surface temperatures some 20 degrees Fahrenheit below a comparable “normal” leather interior.
The climate-control system in the 1 Series Cabriolet has an additional Cabriolet mode (compared to the system in the BMW 1 Series Coupe) designed for open-roof conditions. The three standard modes; gentle, medium and intensive, react primarily to interior sensors, while the Cabriolet mode reacts less to interior temperature and more to the exterior temperature and sunlight factors to establish the intensity of the ventilation.
Turbulence in the roof-down cabin can be reduced by an available wind deflector which can be affixed to the sides of the vehicle with a few adjustments.
The control console for the entertainment and climate-control functions is integrated smoothly and harmoniously into the dashboard through its soft radii and flowing surfaces. With the optional navigation system, the iDrive controller is integrated in the center console, following BMW’s characteristic philosophy of full driver control at all times. Galvanized pearl gloss surfaces adorn the interior door handles, the glove compartment handle, the radio’s rotary knobs, the knobs of the automatic air conditioning system, the iDrive controller, and the ornamental trim strips featured on the sport steering wheel. — BMW 6-Series Cabriolet debut.
Enhanced iDrive provides programmable memory keys
BMW’s iDrive is included with the optional navigation system.
Spacious trunk supplemented by folding seat backs and storage bag
An active couple can carry their gear, regardless of the season, thanks to the generous trunk space offered by the 1 Series Cabriolet. Two golf bags will fit in the trunk of the new 1 Series Cabriolet – even with the top down!
High-tech suspension with newly-developed differential
In traditional BMW style, the new BMW 1 Series Cabriolet transmits the power of the engine to the rear wheels. This design concept and configuration – engine at the front, drive wheels at the rear – guarantees optimum traction, near-perfect weight distribution front-to-rear, excellent directional stability, and predictable handling.
The front suspension is also built to a standard quite unique to its competitive group. The new 1 Series Cabriolet shares the 1 Series Coupe’s sophisticated suspension system with an aluminum double-pivot front suspension and a five-link fully independent rear suspension in lightweight steel to offer an optimum combination of stiffness and low weight. The very stable track control arms and thrust rods make an important contribution to the car’s driving dynamics and provide exacting wheel control.
The standard BMW Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) includes a Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function that provides electronic intervention to prevent loss of vehicle control, but at a higher threshold before activation. — BMW M5 performance heritage.
The rear differential on the 1 Series comes from a new generation of final drives optimized for running smoothness. Featuring double-helical ball bearings for the first time, the differential runs at an even lower operating temperature reached more quickly than before thanks to the reduction of fluid required in the differential. Like the 1 Series Coupe, the Cabriolet features an electronic limited slip function built into the vehicle’s Dynamic Stability Control system.
Safety equipment maximized for Cabriolet design
The four standard airbags in the new BMW 1 Series Cabriolet are designed for the optimum protection of the car’s occupants.
All seats within the 1 Series Cabriolet are fitted with three-point inertia-reel seat belts and headrests, with the front seat belts str fastened on the frames of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats, keeping the belt in an optimum position around the occupant’s hips regardless of seat height or fore-aft placement.
Also, the driver’s pedals move back automatically with a predetermined amount of deformation in the event of a frontal collision so that the risk of driver foot injury is reduced. And last but not least, the rear seats come standard with LATCH attachments for child seats.
The new BMW 1 Series Cabriolet is equipped with a roll-over sensor, which continually monitors the vertical and horizontal movements of the vehicle.
