Both of the engines available in the 1 Series coupe will be offered in the convertible variant. Buyers will have a choice of the standard 3.0-liter, 230-horse inline-six in 128i trim or the twin-turbocharged version of the same displacement in the 135i, good for a full 300 horsepower. BMW is listing the 0-62-mph sprint as taking 5.6 seconds for the 135i Convertible -- 0.3 second slower than the coupe, although it retains the same electronically limited 155-mph top speed.

Visually, the 1 Series Convertible will be distinguished by a flared shoulder line, creating a surface that wraps around the interior as a boat deck wraps around the cabin. The convertible top itself will be able to raise and lower at speeds up to 25 mph and will take 22 seconds to do so, according to BMW. One obvious disadvantage to the convertible configuration is a significant loss of trunk space - capacity drops almost 25 percent from just over 13 cubic feet in the coupe to 8.48 cubic feet in the convertible when the top is stowed. As on the coupe, an integrated spoiler is on the rear of the 128i's trunklid, while the 135i gains an additional lip spoiler in the same location.

2008 bmw 1 series convertible

2008 bmw 1 series convertible

2008 bmw 1 series convertible