3 Series Gets Fourth Generation Of Fourth Variant - The Coupe-Cabriolet A.K.A. Convertible

Yeah, yeah, we know that most of you will prefer the word “convertible”, but a folding hardtop coupe in our book is a European-style coupe-cabriolet. Embrace your feminine side, Clyde.

Overly excited reports had the BMW 3 Series Convertible shining first at the L.A. Auto Show at the end of November, but this warm-weather car is being saved for the summery skies of Detroit in January. Besides, L.A. already gets the Hydrogen 7 and new X5. And the howling frigidness of Motown shouldn’t matter to the retractable three-piece roof unit.

Nobody gets the 3 Convertible delivered until March 24th 2007 when all Germans rejoice and start thinking of a return to the outdoor beer gardens each time the sun peaks from ‘hind the clouds. Pricing is yet to be announced, but look for the straight-six convertible-coupe-sport-tourer to begin at around $46,500 for the 330i. Latest versions of the 3.0-liter straight-six motor get 214hp in the 325i and 268hp in the 330i - up 30hp and 43hp on the former versions respectively. This bump in power for the 325i isn’t too surprising seeing as the engine is now a de-tuned 3.0-liter and not the older 2.5-liter. No word yet from Germany on whether they’ll follow this exact tactic for a 325i in North America since Americans get all confused-like.

(Click through to the jump for more details and photos)

But all of that is chocolate under the windmill, or blood sausage over the Danube for you southern Germans, since all we care about really really is the 335i version of the open-topper. As in the coupe 335i, the 335i convertible-coupe-cabriolet-drophead-torpedo gets 301hp from its bi-turbo unit with high-pressure direct fuel injection. But it all costs more than any other widely available 3 Series ever, starting but a weasel’s teat from US $50,000. But you can’t put a price on getting to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds with the wind in your hair while stressing out the other three passengers with your greed for speed.

All advance reports say that, despite the large boat-like opening on top, the chassis drives plenty rigid with nearly zero cowl shake. Added weight model-for-model is around 440 pounds. Passengers in back will sit more better with 3.15 inches more shoulder room and 4.72 inches greater elbow room. For greater aerodynamics and less wind-buffeting, the windshield is inclined at a shallower angle than on the coupe and the seats are mounted slightly lower to the ground to avoid cerebral decapitation in the event of a significant fender bender.

The roof takes a happy and exciting 22 seconds to open, yet a harrowing and frankly unconscionable 23 seconds to close. That may seem like over-editorializing to some, but it’s good solid journalism to us.

What we don’t totally get: will the sedan version of the new 3 Series keep that boring rear-end look? or will it get that new exciting rear-end look on the coupe and move-able roof versions?

What North Americans miss: the insanely fantastic new diesels of the 330d with 369 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 3000rpm, and the 335d bi-turbo 3.0-liter with 286hp at 4400rpm and 427 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 5000rpm, plus 0-to-60mph acceleration of just under six seconds. And fuel mileage to make yo’ mamma sing.

+ See WINDING ROAD’s review of the new 335i Coupe by clicking here