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Preview: 1 Series Convertible Oct. 1, 2007 ) BMW's new 1 Series convertible. Click on images for larger views.
wheel-drive performance in a sporty compact package. Smaller and simpler, the 1 convertible will be a more affordable alternative to the 3 Series convertible. The drop-top 1 shares much with the recently announced 1 coupe — including styling, model designations and engines. So the 128i cabrio gets a 230-horse inline-six and the 135i the potent 300-horse twin-turbo inline-six. To save weight, complexity and thus money, the 1's roof is fabric, not metal like many of today's convertibles (including the 3). The roof can be lowered or raised in just 22 seconds, even moving at speeds up to 25 MPH. When lowered, the roof disappears cleanly into the car's design for a streamlined appearance. A small spoiler is integrated into the trunk's edge, with an additional spoiler strip on the 135i (just like the coupe). ) The convertible 1 shares much with the 1 coupe — including styling and engines.
top roof, with an optional special Moonlight Black — which has fine shiny interwoven metallic fibers that produce a shimmery silver appearance in sunlight. Like the 3 Series convertible, the 1 features sun- reflective technology in its optional Boston leather interior, reducing the sun's temperature on these surfaces by up to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The standard upholstery is leatherette. The climate control has an additional convertible mode. It reacts more to exterior conditions such as sunlight, rather than interior conditions. Audio and communication offerings include a premium sound system, Sirius satellite radio, high-definition radio and Bluetooth. An auxiliary input jack is standard (for hooking up an MP3 player) and a USB port (for an Apple iPod or iPhone) is optional. While not gigantic, BMW says the 1 cabrio's trunk is large enough to fit two golf bags. Folding seats and a storage bag add to the cargo-carrying versatility. All the safety features expected of a modern BMW are standard, including four advanced airbags as well as pop-up roll-over protection (two bars behind the rear seats that extend in fractions of a second if a roll-over situation is detected). A reinforced windshield frame also provides roll-over protection.
The 128i convertible will go on sale in the spring, with the 135i convertible joining the roster later. Also see: 1 Series Convertible Photos )
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