To be honest, we should have pre-emptively written this story. The 4 Series cabriolet was as sure to follow the coupe as night does day. So, ahead of an LA show debut next month, BMW has released some official pics and price details of the 3 Series cabrio's replacement.
Should have stuck below 11mph...
As we could have reasonably predicted, cabrio spec is as per the
4 Series coupe
. The engine range is mirrored exactly, with a 184hp 420d, 245hp 428i and 306hp 435i offered with the same five trim levels. The six-speed manual and eight-speed auto are available too.
There is one rather surprising stat to have emerged about the 4 Series cabriolet, and that's weight. The folding metal hardtop has added a very chunky 300kg, putting a 420d and 428i at a rather corpulent 1,755kg. The 435i cabrio is a 1,815kg car. Crikey, doesn't exactly bode well for the M4 cabrio then...
The roof can raised and lowered in 20 seconds at up to 11mph. We probably should mention boot space too; there's 370 litres with the roof up and 220 with it down.
BMW will happily charge you for the extra mass of metal too. The range starts at £36,675 for the 420d SE (£5,100 more than the coupe) with the 428i starting at £39,515, a premium of £6,920 over the coupe. The 435i Luxury cabrio will cost £44,970, compared to the coupe's £40,795.
The 4 Series cabrio goes on sale in March. Maybe we can send Harris on the launch, he'll love it...