BMW’s topless beauty now with retractable fabric roof

BMW Group has unveiled the second generation of its topless wonder, the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

The issue with the original for many was the retractable metal roof and the loud noise the vehicle made when travelling at speed. The metal's gone and BMW claims the noise is greatly reduced.

The second-generation BMW 4 Series Convertible has a retractable fabric roof that is a lot lighter than its predecessor. It is able to open or close in 18 seconds even when travelling at 50km/h.

BMW Group notes that the "newly developed panel bow soft-top roof marries the strengths of a retractable hardtop and the puristic appeal of a fabric hood, thereby combining the best of both worlds. Its sleek surface gracefully arches over the passenger cell of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible."

The upgraded top is 40% lighter than its predecessor’s and comes in Black as standard and Anthracite Silver effect as an option.

The convertible is longer and wider than the original as its powertrains are exactly the same as the new BMW 4 Series.

Up front, the look is unmistakably BMW with a pair of vertical grilles and full-LED headlights. The side profile looks sharp, leading to the rear where a pair of slim, darkened lights extend into the flanks in an ‘L’ shape.

Unmistakably BMW, the 4-Series Convertible is a crowd stopper.

The sleek interior of the all-new 2021 second generation BMW 4-Series Convertible.

BMW 4-Series Convertible is a must for those with sunny climates.

The range now peaks with an extremely sporty BMW M440i xDrive Convertible flagship model, which has BMW’s beloved B58 inline-six – a 3-litre straight-six making 285kW and 500Nm of torque. A hybrid system will be standard on models using the three-litre.

The launch line-up also comprises two four-cylinder petrol units: the 135kW/300Nm 2-litre four-cylinder 420i and the 190kW/400Nm 2-litre 430i. Two straight-six diesel engines are set to follow later in 2021.

The M440i drives all four wheels through an eight-speed gearbox. As the fastest in the range, it’ll go from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds and max out at a limited 250km/h. BMW claims the M440i is able to deliver performance "that would be respectable on a racetrack".

Both powertrains make more power than their predecessors, with the inline-four up 5kW and the straight-six up 51kW.

Reinforcements added to the 2021 4-Series Convertible’s side skirts and transmission tunnel make it 4% stiffer than its predecessor.

The new convertible also shares the same standard active safety features as the BMW 4 Series coupe. These include a lane departure warning system with steering correction, frontal collision warning system and automatic high beams, among other technology features. There is optional technology to pay for like adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic jam assist and front-cross-traffic alert with emergency stop assist.

A retractable fabric roof has replaced the heavier metal roof.

BMW 4-Series Convertible has sleek lines.

The monster grille of the BMW 4-Series Convertible with new LED laser lights and large air vents.

Model variants:

BMW 420i Convertible
Four-cylinder in-line petrol engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Capacity: 1,998cc
Output: 135kW at 5,000–6,500 rpm
Max torque: 300Nm at 1,350–4,000 rpm
Acceleration (0–100km/h): 8.2 seconds
Top speed: 236 km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 6.1–5.7L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 140–131g/km
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

BMW 430i Convertible
Four-cylinder in-line petrol engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Capacity: 1,998cc
Output: 190kW at 5,000–6,500 rpm
Max torque: 400Nm at 1,550–4,400 rpm
Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 6.4–6L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 147–138 g/km
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

BMW M440i xDrive Convertible
Six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, 48V mild hybrid technology (8kW), eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, BMW xDrive
Capacity: 2,998cc
Output: 275 kW at 5,500–6,500 rpm
Max torque: 500Nm at 1,900–5,000 rpm
Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4–6.9L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 169–159g/km
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

BMW 420d Convertible
Four-cylinder in-line diesel engine, 48V mild hybrid technology (8kW), eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Capacity: 1,995cc
Output: 140kW at 4,000 rpm
Max torque: 400Nm at 1,750–2,500 rpm
Acceleration (0–100km/h): 7.6 seconds
Top speed: 236km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.5–4.2L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 119–111g/km
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

BMW 430d Convertible (est. available from July 2021)
Six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, 48V mild hybrid technology (8kW), eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Capacity: 2,993cc
Output: 210 kW at 4,000 rpm
Max torque: 650Nm at 1,500–2,500 rpm
Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 5.9 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.6L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 147g/km
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

BMW M440d xDrive Convertible (est. available from November 2021)
Six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, 48V mild hybrid technology (8kW), eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, BMW xDrive
Capacity: 2,993cc
Output: 250kW at 4,400 rpm
Max torque: 700Nm at 1,750–2,250 rpm
Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 250km/h
Fuel consumption, combined: 6.3L/100km
CO2 emissions, combined: 165g/km,
Exhaust standard: Euro 6d

The 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible will enter production in Germany in March 2021.