New BMW open-top a cruiser not a bruiser

THE 4 Series Convertible marks a turning point in BMW’s history as it brings an end to the illustrious 3 Series Convertible line.

While some might mourn the passing of the 3 Series drop- top, there’s much to celebrate with the new cabrio 4 Series. For starters, it’s based on the 4 Series Coupe, which means driving fun in abundance.

The Convertible may not have the Coupe’s fixed roof to offer as much rigidity, but BMW has worked its magic to make sure the open-top is free from any shimmy or shake over rough roads.

Roof down, the 4 Series Convertible suffers little wind bustle in the cabin for those in the front, while rear seat passengers now enjoy more leg and shoulder space than in the last 3 Series cabrio.

With the roof up, the Convertible is every bit as refined a cruising machine as the Coupe.

Press harder and the 4 Series Convertible is not as sporting as its Coupe sister. The added weight of the folding metal roof means the open- top doesn’t change direction with the same alacrity, though it does still offer wonderfully precise steering. That extra weight also means the engines, which are the same as in the Coupe, do not feel quite as urgent.

Still, there’s plenty of acceleration on offer from the 420d model that will be a big seller with private and company drivers alike.

The 420d offers 0 to 62mph in 8.2 seconds and tops out at 146mph, but more importantly it provides 55.4mpg average economy and carbon dioxide emissions as low as 127g/ km when fitted with BMW’s slickly superb eight- speed automatic gearbox.

If all- out performance is your main concern, there’s always the M4 Convertible that rockets from 0 to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds and heads on to 155mph.

However, the sweet spot of the 4 Series Convertible range is the 428i with its turbocharged petrol engine that costs from £37,020.

The 428i delivers 0 to 62mph in 6.4 seconds and offers more than enough punch for overtaking while still feeling brilliantly refined and suited to wafting along country lanes and through town with ease.

Choose the 428i and you’ll also see 42.8mpg and 154g/ km CO2 emissions, which comfortably betters its predecessor from the 3 Series Convertible range.

Like its ancestors from the 3 Series Convertible range, the 4 Series Convertible is more of a cruiser than a bruiser, which goes to prove you can change the name, but the DNA of BMW’s sleek open-top is not so easily altered.