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A distinctive feature of the 1 Series Convertible is the flared shoulder line
which runs parallel to the road. This shoulder line flows from the hood past the
A pillar to the trunk lid, forming a surface which encompasses the entire
interior, giving the impression of a boat deck.
The view from the rear is
influenced by the position of the softtop: with the top lowered, completely
concealed in the tail, the look is flat and elegant; the appearance with the top
up is broad shouldered. The trunk lid has an integrated spoiler chiseled into
the rear end of the car to accentuate the short rear section. On the 135i, an
additional lip spoiler provides greater downforce on the rear end at high
speeds.
The individual sections within the L-shaped rear taillights give
the vehicle a lower, sportier look. Horizontal lights integrated in the rear
light clusters offer a homogeneous lighting effect with the help of
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This light design, as found on other BMW models,
makes the BMW 1 Series Convertible stand out at night. Also, the Adaptive Brake
Lights operating in two stages in relation to brake application force are yet
another feature typical of BMW, with the additional benefit of extra safety on
the road.
The standard (on the 135i) Adaptive Xenon Headlights (optional
on the 128i), complete with integrated cornering lights, make driving in the
dark safer than ever. The daytime running light function, in typical BMW style,
uses the four corona rings around each headlight to enhance the visibility of
the car under normal and "murky" light conditions.
Convertible
Interior Features Comfort, Convenience
Two unique BMW 1 Series
Convertible features provide increased driver and passenger comfort, thus
improving the overall experience regardless of the top's position. The optional
Boston leather incorporates BMW's Sun Reflective Technology where pigments
worked into the upholstery mitigate the effect of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Excessive heating of the seats and armrest is diminished, especially for darker
interior colors. The overall effect can produce surface temperatures some 20
degrees Fahrenheit below a comparable "normal" leather interior.
The
standard upholstery is sporty and comfortable Leatherette, which is also the
covering on the optional Sport Package's sport seats with enhanced side support
(Boston leather can be selected for this package).
The climate-control
system in the 1 Series Convertible has an additional convertible mode (compared
to the system in the BMW 1 Series Coupe) designed for open-roof conditions. The
three standard modes; gentle, medium and intensive, react primarily to interior
sensors, while the convertible mode reacts less to interior temperature and more
to the exterior temperature and sunlight factors to establish the intensity of
the ventilation. Turbulence in the roof-down cabin can be reduced by an
available wind deflector which can be affixed to the sides of the vehicle with a
few adjustments. The wind deflector allows for conversation at normal sound
levels and the ability to enjoy the wide variety of audio and communication
offerings which include SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, the optional Premium
Sound system, and Bluetooth. For simple and straightforward connection of an MP3
player, an auxiliary input jack is standard and a USB port for direct control of
an Apple iPod or iPhone media player is available as an option.
The
control console for the entertainment and climate-control functions is
integrated smoothly and harmoniously into the dashboard through its soft radii
and flowing surfaces. With the optional navigation system, the iDrive controller
is integrated in the center console, following BMW's characteristic philosophy
of full driver control at all times. Galvanized pearl gloss surfaces adorn the
interior door handles, the glove compartment handle, the radio's rotary knobs,
the knobs of the automatic climate control system, the iDrive controller, and
the ornamental trim strips featured on the sport steering wheel.
M-Inspired Design for the M Sport Package
Model year 2009 saw the
introduction of a new M Sport Package, which is standard on the 135i and
optional on the 128i. Features of the M Sport Package include an Aero kit for
reduced lift at speed (standard on 135i), an increased top speed limiter, better
brake cooling, and enhanced aesthetics while the Sports Suspension offers higher
traction and reduced body roll with unique wheels and performance tires.
Unfortunately, the M Sport Package deletes the Air Curtain feature.
On
the 135i Convertible, the Sports Suspension also includes a high-performance
brake system incorporating 6-piston fixed calipers on the front and 2-piston
calipers at the rear. Additionally, the M Sport Package for both models includes
BMW Individual high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, sport seats, and M branded
trim components including driver footrest, gearshift knob (for manual
transmission), and door sills. Finally, LeMans Blue Metallic exterior paint is
available exclusively when the M Sport Package is ordered.
Innovative
Aerodynamics: Air Curtains
Consistency between form and function is
crucial to engineers at BMW who seek perfect balance of various aerodynamic
factors in the wind tunnel. As a result, the new Air Curtain is BMW's latest
aerodynamic innovation. Introduced first on the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the Air
Curtain will now be a standard feature on the 128i Convertible. The Air Curtain
improves air flow around the front wheel arches with the benefit of
significantly reduced turbulence. The 128i Convertible can also be equipped with
special Aero Wheels to further enhance the performance of the Air Curtain
system.
Safety Equipment Maximized for Convertible Design
The four standard airbags in the 2012 BMW 1 Series Convertible are designed for
the optimum protection of the car's occupants. The advanced frontal airbags are
activated in stages relative to impact severity while the side airbags
integrated into the sides of the front seat backrests reduce the risk of injury
at chest, hip and head levels in side impact situations. The BMW 1 Series
Convertible also comes with crash-optimized seats with active headrests designed
to reduce the risk of neck injury in an impact from the rear.
All seats
within the 1 Series Convertible are fitted with three-point inertia-reel seat
belts and headrests, with the front seat belts fastened on to the frames of the
driver's and front passenger's seats, keeping the belt in an optimum position
around the occupant's hips regardless of seat height or fore-aft placement.
Also, the driver's pedals move back automatically with a predetermined
amount of deformation in the event of a frontal collision so that the risk of
driver foot injury is reduced. And last but not least, the rear seats come
standard with LATCH attachments for child seats. The 2012 BMW 1 Series
Convertible is equipped with a roll-over sensor, which continually monitors the
vertical and horizontal movements of the vehicle. As soon as the sensors
register the danger of the vehicle rolling over, two roll bars are extended in
fractions of a second from their storage areas behind the rear headrests.
Simultaneously, the front-seat-belt tensioners are activated. Further roll-over
protection is offered by the optimized stability of the A pillar and windshield
frame.
BMW 135i Convertible: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications