Light and torsionally stiff: the bodyshell

The intelligent combination of innovative and proven materials, as well as modern production technology, helps to give the new BMW 3 Series Convertible a particularly light but at the same time very stable body. Indeed, BMW's body development specialists have achieved the highest level of torsional stiffness ever seen in a BMW Convertible.

Unladen weight of the new BMW 3 Series Convertible is approximately 400 lb above that of the BMW 3 Series Coupe. This extra weight results from the installation of additional support members in the floor and the electric motors and hydraulic elements required for the retractable hardtop.

The innovative plastic side front fenders weigh 50 percent less than conventional steel panels. And unlike conventional plastic, the new side panels are made of a special synthetic material and no longer have to be painted separately. Instead, they go through the regular painting process together with the complete body-in-white.

Deformation areas at the front of the car, together with other features, serve to provide maximum occupant protection in a frontal collision. The bulkhead support is made of innovative, high-strength steel with longitudinal profile bars and reinforcements. In addition, the extra-strong luggage compartment floor and rear and side panels minimize the consequences of a collision from behind.

In a side impact, forces acting on the car are diverted to the opposite side through the reinforced floor pan. The side sills are made of steel profiles that vary in geometry for greater resistance to bending. Interacting with the doors, the seats and the instrument panel, these specially-made components ensure maximum stability between the A-pillars.

The carefully conceived arrangement and dimensions of the car's load-bearing structures, crash boxes and deformation zones help to keep impact energy away from the passengers. Restraint and support systems are tailored to one another and controlled by one unit to ensure proper protection for each occupant. The front and side airbags, belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by the car's sensor-controlled safety electronics based on the type and severity of the impact.

The side airbags are integrated into the seat backrests and inflate in the event of a side-impact collision over a large area extending from the bottom of the backrest all the way to the upper edge of the headrest to provide effective upper body and head protection regardless of seating position.

Extra safety in the event of a rollover is ensured by the windshield frame that serves as a rollover safety bar. Rollover sensors that permanently monitoring all vertical and horizontal movements of the car can activate rollbars positioned behind the rear headrests. The belt latch tensioners on the front seats as well as the side airbags are activated within fractions of a second.


Four seats, lots of space, extra freedom: the interior

The new BMW 3 Series Convertible offers open-air driving pleasure for four. The front seats come with integrated belt systems and the center console extends all the way to the rear, splitting the rear into two single seats for extra comfort by offering generous headroom thanks to their low seating position.

Over the previous model, shoulder room at the rear is increased by 3.15 inches and elbow room grows 4.72 inches. Access to the two seats at the rear is facilitated by both the seat release lever fitted at the top of the seat backrest and the 2x-speed fore-aft power adjustment switch.

previous page | go to page 6