The immediate impression, even with that soft top down, is that BMW?s smallest convertible is, well ? still very much a BMW.

Taut, responsive and solid in that very Bavarian way, there isn?t even a hint of that scuttle shake, it's quick and responsive, even in ?humble? 2.5-litre 125i incarnation. No, sadly we never drove the bahnstorming 135i convertible this time ? it wasn?t there yet. But the mid-ranger is plenty strong enough ? at coastal elevations, in any event?

Described in the press kit as a ?compact and extremely agile convertible?, this BMW 1-Series is a genuine four-seater (honest!) with an electro-hydraulically operated soft top, as what BMW calls the ?first? premium convertible in the compact segment. That?s a close call ? it only beat its Bavarian regional competitor A3 drop-top to the street by a week ? if that. We look forward to pairing them up soon?

Classic open BMW

Anyway, Convertible follows the five-door, the three-door and the BMW 1 Coupe as the fourth offering in the series while presenting a third convertible in the BMW range below its respective 3- and 6-Series cousins. Boasting a slender silhouette, muscular wheel arches and striking and powerful shoulder line, 1 Convertible is unmistakably a classic open BMW.

Offering a double-layered cloth soft top not unlike its bigger sister versus the folding steel version on the latest open air 3, 1?s roof will stow or lift within 22 seconds, while the hood can be opened at up to 50km/h ? or normal city driving speeds. It also comes in a unique anthracite option with gloss seams for an interchanging silver effect in the sunshine.

A neat option is 1?s through-loading feature of a transport bag ? a unique solution to increase boot capacity into the rear seat compartment and allow the secure stowage of unwieldy objects likes of golf bags and skis. That?s in addition to a wide range of leather upholstery and interior trim boasting "Sun Reflective Technology" to reduce the effects of interior surfaces heating up in the direct sunshine. It also boasts automatic air conditioning featuring BMW?s unique "Convertible Mode".

Under the skin

Under the skin as noted up top 1 Convertible is all-BMW with default Munich rear drive and a choice of four petrol engines (of which three will come to SA) and a turbodiesel. The cars headed our way are the 135i, 125i and 120i Convertibles.

BMW Efficient Dynamics features on all the new 1 Convertibles too - from "Brake Energy Regeneration" to "Auto Start Stop", gearshift point indicator, electric power steering; on-demand ancillary control and active aerodynamics to reduce both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The 225kW 400Nm 2979cc biturbo 135i Convertible is good for a 5.6-second 0 - 100km/h sprint and sips just 9.4litres/100km on average to return 224g/km of CO2. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Equipped with a normally aspirated 3.0-litre version of BMW?s High Precision Direct Fuel Injection composite magnesium/aluminium crankcase, double-Vanos and Valvetronic inline-six petrol mill, 125i Convertible produces 160kW and 270Nm for a 6.8-second 0-100 and 238km/h to use 8.1litres/100km and produce 195g/km.

The most affordable derivative, 120i, comes with a 125kW/210Nm four-cylinder mill and is good for an 8.4 second 0?100, 220km/h top end, 6.6l/100km consumption and 158g/km CO2.

BMW?s advantage stretches to that rear-wheel drive chassis with aluminium double-joint tiebar axle at the front and a five-arm rear axle out back. The 135i boasts electronically controlled differential locking function in DSC-off mode and the entire range features "Dynamic Stability Control" including "Dynamic Traction Control", while energy-saving electrical power steering is "Servotronic", equipped with BMW "Active Steering" as an option.

All-in-all, the BMW 135i Convertible is only 115kg heavier than the 135i coupe and the convertible that follows the drop-top 125i to market in SA in a few months, comes with modified M Aerodynamics and M Sports Suspension as standard equipment.

Expected safety features

All BMW?s expected safety features come standard including all the needed airbags; belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters; rollover protection featuring pop-up roll bars; crash-optimised front seat backrests and headrests to reduce injury risk in the event of a collision ? and all of that built around a hugely stiff and robust body structure thanks en main to a lightweight steel structure.

The Convertible will also come with all BMW?s de-rigueur spec and goodies, including a wide range of audio, communication and navigation options unique to the compact segment. This, in the form of AUX-in and optional USB and Bluetooth interfaces for complete memory stick, iPod and MP3 integration over and above those eight Drive ?favourite? buttons.

So, BMW now offers a full three-car convertible line-up thanks to the arrival of the 1 Convertible under the 3 and 6 ranges. That is of course also over and above the Z4 roadster to provide serene open-top BMW motoring to en ever-growing number of customers. All of which is of course good news ? top class BMW convertible driving has never quite been so attainable.

The best news is the pricing, with the 120i coming in at R299 500 and 125i at R344 000, both being due by May, and the 135i, here by September, comes in at R420 000.