By: Henrie Geyser

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There is something quite special about topless motoring and even on a chilly winter's day it can be lots of fun, whether you are out on a pose cruise down the boulevard with the blonde or stoking along quiet country roads with a buddy early on a Sunday morning.

And all the better if you can do it in one of the slinky new BMW 1 Series convertibles which have just arrived in this country. For wind in your hair fun and topless freedom, the three German marques are difficult to beat, but BMW has always had an edge on Audi and Mercedes-Benz as the enthusiast driver's first choice.

The new 1 Series compact convertibles are no exception, armed as they are with the exhilaration of rear-wheel drive (the only convertible in this segment that is not front-wheel drive), nailed-to-the-tarmac roadholding and thumping performance.

Initially there will be two derivatives to choose from - a 120i from R308,500 to R353,000 and a 125i from R354,500 to R396,000.

Enthusiasts will have to wait a few more months for the arrival of the scorching 135i armed with a twin turbo, direct injection and the M Sports Package which will cost between R432,500 and R467,500, depending on which specifications you prefer.

The 120i is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 115kW and 200Nm. BMW says it will do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.2 seconds and will stop the clock at 214km/h.

The 125i is armed with the class-leading 3.0-litre in-line six cylinder engine that churns out 160kW and 270Nm, which is good enough for a zero to 100km/h dash in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 237km/h.

The 135 also has a six-cylinder engine, but with much more muscle making it good for 225kW and 400Nm, a rapid 5.6 second 0-100km/h dash and a top speed limited at 250km/h.

Buyers have the choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. (Shift paddles are standard on the 135i automatic, but are optional on the 125i auto).

Being a trendy city slicker convertible, the soft top on the new range is very much an attention grabber. It takes the attractive low-profile hood just 22 seconds to open or close and you can even do it while driving at a speed of up to 40km/h (a few other manufacturers could do well to look and learn how to do it as quickly, hassle-free and with no driver input required other than pressing a button).

In addition to the standard black or beige tops there is also the option of an anthracite top with metal weavings which give a startling shimmering effect.

Although not jaw-droppingly beautiful, the compact top down cruiser has a number of distinctive and appealing features such as high, sharp shoulder line which is bolder than in other 1-series models, an attractive sloping bonnet which makes the car look even lower and wider, nicely bulging wheel arches, sporty alloys and a cheeky ducktail line on the boot.

Being a two-door it is essentially a car for two grown-ups in front and garden gnomes, rug rats and Woolies shopping bags at the back. The legs and shoulder space up front is generous and with fully adjustable seats and steering-wheel it is easy to find a comfortable driving position.

For a car this size the boot is generous. In fact, it could probably take two golf bags, a couple of kit bags plus an overnight bag or two with ease.

Although convertibles are really more boulevard than race-track aligned, enthusiastic petrol-heads will find comfort in the fact that the new convertibles sport comprehensive safety features such as an army of air bags, seat belt pre-tensioners, belt force limiters, rollover protection and crash optimised front seat backs and head rests.

All three models also come standard with dynamic stability control (with ABS, CBC and DIC) and dynamic traction control.

As one has come to expect from the hoity-toity German cars, the new Beemers are fitted with just about every modern luxury and comfort feature you can thinks of. And if it's not already standard then you can purchase it from an extensive list of optional extras.

At the recent media launch in Cape Town, I got to drive the 120i and the 125i on a lovely scenic route along the coast past Gordon's Bay to Arabella, from there via Caledon to Villiersdorp and over the pass down to Franschhoek and on to the airport via the N1.

And even with wet roads, rain in places and the hood up most of the time, we had ample opportunity to let the soft-toppers stretch their legs and show us their class.

And class they've got. The 120i is perhaps a little better suited to more sedate city driving and will probably be the choice of the coffee-and-gym set, estate agents and second car commuters. It's a quiet, well-wrapped cruiser-commuter and if driven sensibly it won't push your fuel bill into overdraft.

And it's certainly not dozy enough to let you nod off. In fact, quite the opposite. We found it surprisingly keen to exercise, being the one with the softest muscles of the three.

Along a couple of deserted stretches of country road we really planted it and the 120i seemed to love it. Not a murmur, just the sweet drone of a well-tuned motor doing what it was designed to do - providing lots of pleasure.

Obviously the 125i is much more of a boy's plaything and we again fell in love with the lovely six-cylinder that BMW has got down to near perfection.

Winding along at quite a nick past undulating farmlands between Caledon and Villiersdorp we gained new respect for the hardworking team of steering, brakes and the convertible's lightweight, rigid chassis.

And what lovely gearboxes both the manual and auto shifts are. On the manual shifts we found the clutch to be its usual hard self, but that has become a BMW trademark and is easy to forgive and to get used to.

Interestingly, we found the suspension on both models less jarring and intrusive than on the 1 Series saloon and coupe, probably because one expects a tauter, thumpier ride from a sporty convertible.

I found the steering lightened up too much at high speeds and it was certainly a little too sensitive to cross-winds which does distract from the car's overall driving pleasure. In fact, my co-driver said he thought the car felt a little twitchy at times.

Both models have electric power steering (EPS) which can sometimes dull the feedback, but this was hardly noticeable on both models, other than the fact that it became a little airy at speed.

It would certainly be interesting to compare it with the conventional hydraulic steering which is standard on the more potent 135i.

Overall the new baby Beemers are well specced, elegantly furnished, handsome to look at a lot of fun to drive.

Yep, they are expensive, but you sure as heck get a lot of bang for your bucks. And the envious glances of the chaps at the golf club will certainly help to reduce some of the pain of the monthly installments...

[17 Jun 2008 15:51]

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