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This is the fourth and final addition to BMW's 1-series range, and it's probably the most desirable.
The baby drop-top is aimed directly at Audi's new A3 Cabriolet and like its German rival, sticks with the traditional soft-top canvas roof while others like the VW Eos are heading down the folding metal top route. That makes a real difference when it comes to both design and packaging, because the fabric version folds away much more neatly, though there are pay-offs in terms of both refinement and perceived security.
That roof can also be opened and closed at 30mph, handy while cruising roof-down and a sudden shower appears.
We drove the 120i, the second up of four petrol engines (there's also a 120d diesel). Despite 170PS, the 2.0-litre unit needs to be worked hard to make significant progress, making the BMW more cruiser than sports car, and it sounds decidedly unhappy in the upper limits of the rev range.
The 218PS 3.0-litre 125i we also tried transformed the car into a much more desirable proposition, but with hefty economy and emissions penalties, despite a P11D only £1000 higher than the 120i.
BMW's emissions- and economy-cutting Efficient Dynamics technology is again present, meaning the 120i emits...
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