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Munich. The publication "Bracing Breeze Worldwide. BMW 3 Series Convertibles." takes the reader on a guided tour of the six models, from the first BMW Baur Topcabriolet of 1978 right up to the new 2007 3 Series Convertible.
New photos show the cars in some of the world's most beautiful surroundings and on some of its most captivating roads. The first Baur Topcabriolet, for example, is seen sauntering along picturesque costal roads on the Côte d'Azur. The third-generation 3 Series Convertible pits itself against the sandstorms and scorching desert heat of Morocco. And the 2007 drop-top revels in the glorious solitude of California's Highway 1.
 A successful history
BMW has pursued an uncompromising commitment to the design excellence of the 3 Series Convertibles since day one. Making concessions in form to serve the interests of mechanics has always been anathema to the open-top 3, and never more so than in the case of the first works-built BMW 3 Series Convertible of 1986. In contrast to its predecessors - Topcabriolets with roll-over bars produced by body manufacturer Baur - BMW left its first 3 Series Convertible totally open to the sky. The roof construction would fold down and disappear discreetly between the rear seats and boot cover. The necessary safety was provided by extensive reinforcement of the body, especially the A-pillar. In 1988 BMW brought an M3 Convertible onto the market for the first time as a treat for speed merchants with a soft spot for softtops. The new model was powered by a 200-hp four-cylinder powerplant. With over 140,000 units sold, the first works BMW Convertible exceeded all expectations.
 Longer and broader: the third-generation BMW 3 Series Convertible
From that point on, BMW included a works Convertible as part of every new 3 Series range. The second works BMW softtop was launched in 1993. The new 3 Series was longer and broader than the model it replaced. New were the car's light wedge shape and the twin headlights housed under a glass cover. By the time the second-generation 3 Series Convertible went out of production in 1999, BMW had sold around 170,000 units in five engine variants.
BMW 3 Series Convertibles with diesel engines
The third generation of the 3 Series Convertible also combined a typically BMW design with Sheer Driving Pleasure. The 3 Series Convertible introduced in 2000 boasted extra curves and more cutting-edge styling, and its aerodynamic form and flat windscreen reinforced its sporting edge. In late 2000 the top-of-the-range 330Ci hit the roads with a six-speed gearbox and 3-litre six-cylinder engine. BMW then added an M3 Convertible to the line-up in 2001. The third-generation model could also be ordered with a hardtop as an option and, from 2004, with a diesel engine.
 The BMW 3 Series Convertible in 2007
The new BMW 3 Series Convertible, launched in 2007 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), continued the tradition built up by these sporty and elegant cars. The flat shoulderline, set-back seating position and short windscreen ensure man and nature are never far apart. The new 306-hp straight-six twin-turbo unit - taken from the Coupé - boasts High Precision Injection and plays its part in ensuring an even more intense open-top driving experience in the range-topping 335i. An automatically folding hardtop roof, meanwhile, is celebrating its 3 Series Convertible premiere, and is fitted as standard in place of the softtop construction of previous models.
The book "Bracing Breeze Worldwide. BMW 3 Series Convertibles." comes complete with a DVD. The package can be ordered through the ISBN number 978-3-89880-809-5, and will also be available in English from the publisher Heel-Verlag from the start of April.
Press release via BMW
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