This BMW Cabriolet takes a back seat to no one

BMW’s new head of design evokes strong feelings in loyal fans.

When it comes to BMW these days, most people seem to fall into two camps: pro-Chris Bangle and anti-Chris Bangle.

BMW’s head of design is, if nothing else, a conversation starter and he has put his mark on just about everything the Bavarian manufacturer builds.

Some people like his angular, discordant, origami styling touch and think he’s the best thing that ever happened to the company, while others consider him to be the automotive anti-Christ. There’s even an online “Fire Chris Bangle” petition making the rounds.

Personally, I can’t stand his designs — with one or two exceptions. I think he has ruined the look of just about every model he has put his hand to, and some cars — the Z4, for example — are truly ugly and, to my eyes at least, a visual train wreck.

But one of the exceptions is the new 3-Series Cabriolet, which has managed to escape Bangle’s suffocating embrace. Available in either 328 or 335 configurations, this is still one of the most handsome vehicles on the road, convertible or otherwise, and comes with a snug-fitting steel hardtop that complements the car’s graceful lines perfectly.

The hardtop deploys in about 25 seconds and is accessed by a floor console mounted switch located aft of the shift lever: Pull up to raise the roof, push to lower it. This also raises and lowers the windows and the whole affair stashes neatly in the trunk.

Power for my 328i tester is provided by a wonderful in-line six-cylinder engine that displaces 2,996 cc and develops 230 horsepower.

It’s mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic manual shift feature that can be accessed either with steering wheel-mounted paddles or a shift button. My test car had the latter gearbox and, given the car’s overall nature, is as good a choice as any. It adds $1,600 to the car’s price tag, but is almost as fast from 0-100 km/h as the stick shift: just under eight seconds.

I can’t say enough about this engine; it’s smooth, powerful, torquey and, most of all, has a refined linear power delivery unmatched by most comparable V-6 engines.

As far as I’m concerned, in-line sixes still rule and, while just about everyone else has abandoned the I-6 configuration for manufacturing and design expediency, BMW has stuck with theirs through thick and thin. To me, BMW’s six-bangers are the heart and soul of their model lineup and kudos to them for sticking to their guns. I would buy this car for its engine alone.

Moving right along, the 328i Cabriolet is definitely an upscale vehicle. My test car had a beautifully done black leather interior that actually smelled and felt like leather.

BMW takes a back seat to no one when it comes to interior ambience and the 3-Series — convertible and otherwise — is at or near the top of the heap for creature comforts.

Heated front seats, automatic climate controls that compensate when the top is down and touch-sensitive controls all come standard, as well as the usual complement of remote locking doors, one-touch up and down windows and a starter button. This last feature is kind of weird and redundant, because you have to insert the key fob into the dash as well when you start the car.

In the back seat, there’s a fairly substantial opening leading to the trunk for skis and other oversized baggage. Four adults can ride in this car in comfort and the trunk offers 210 litres of room with the top down.

Having said that, I could not get comfortable in the front bucket seats; they were just too firm and too confining for my tastes.

One nice feature worth mentioning: The leather upholstery is treated with a special infrared repellant to keep the seating surfaces relatively cool when the car is parked outside in the sun.

BMW calls it “SunReflective” technology and claims it will reduce the surface temperature by up to 20 degrees Celsius so you won’t receive third-degree burns to your backside when you get in the car. Too bad this kind of innovation hasn’t been applied to the exterior paint; my test car was a dreary charcoal-grey colour, which didn’t do much to heighten its stylistic attributes. BMW has a tradition of eye-catching paint schemes (remember the Inka Orange/Taiga Green/Golf Yellow 2002s of yesteryear?) and this car deserves more interesting paint.

Safetywise, the 3-Series Cabriolet features pop-up roll bars built into the front bucket seat headrests that will deploy if a rollover is imminent. As well, the windshield frame is reinforced, and there are front and side airbags.

The additional hydraulics and whatnot for the hardtop add some 200 kilograms to the car’s overall weight, compared with its sedan counterpart.

Thankfully, my car did not have iDrive, but you can get it, along with a navi system, Bluetooth capability and larger 18-inch wheels and tires. I feel the same about iDrive as I do about Chris Bangle’s other designs — ’nuff said.

The 328i Cabriolet starts at more than $56,000 and, if you opt for the more powerful 335i, you’ll part with the better part of $66,000 before options and extras.

TED LATURNUS

Thursday May 3rd, 2007 Globe and Mail

 

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