Picture thread created...

http://www.germancarzone.com/bmw-pic...nvertible.html

I've never said M3 cabrio is pointless, where did you read that? I don't care about it and that's all.

I´m a hard-top kind of guy but, this is the only convertible, I like more than a hard-top ...!

I also like the silhouette & the rear of the 3er cabrio more than the ones of a coupe. The lines just flow better.

That flat rear / boot lid, and that more angular Rolls-like roof line: just love that. Much more appealing that than coupe, and much greater presence IMO:

OFFICIAL: BMW M3 Convertible Revealed

Press Release

The BMW M3 model family is being upgraded by yet another fascinating player: The new BMW M3 Convertible, the third body version of BMW's high-performance sports car following the Coupé and Saloon, offers new possibilities to experience uncompromising driving dynamics.

Third body version of the new BMW M3; high-performance convertible from BMW M GmbH unique in its design and technical features; developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Convertible; consistent orientation to the high-performance character typical of BMW M, as with the BMW M3 Coupé and the BMW M3 Saloon. Car concept with
a consistent, unique tradition: Fourth generation of both the BMW M3 Convertible and the BMW M3 Coupé.

Unique combination of outstanding driving dynamics with aesthetic looks, unparalleled experience of open-air motoring and superior everyday driving qualities in that special combination specific to BMW M. Electrohydraulically operated retractable hardtop ensuring supreme performance in the BMW M3 Convertible with nothing but the sky above.

Authentic BMW M design as the expression of superior drive power; aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome; characteristic front end with large air intakes; powerfully flared wheel arches; specific BMW M interpretation of the classic lines of a BMW Convertible with its dynamically stretched silhouette, low waistline and muscular, low-slung rear end;
gill elements in the front side walls; M-specific side sills contoured even more specifically towards the rear of the car as a visual tribute to rear-wheel drive; rear air dam with diffuser optimising the flow of air beneath the car; dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.

Exclusive driving experience: The unique power and performance of a BMW M3 combined with an incomparably intense experience of the sun and wind unique to a BMW Convertible.

The BMW M3 Convertible is powered by BMW M's brand-new V8 displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp; maximum torque is 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm; maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm, optimum muscle and thrust throughout the entire range of engine speed.

Individual throttle butterflies, variable double-VANOS camshaft control, Brake Energy Regeneration; engine 15 kg lighter than the six-cylinder power unit on the former model.

Overview

• Third body version of the new BMW M3; high-performance convertible from BMW M GmbH unique in its design and technical features; developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Convertible; consistent orientation to the high-performance character typical of BMW M, as with the BMW M3 Coupé and the BMW M3 Saloon. Car concept with a consistent, unique tradition: Fourth generation of both the BMW M3 Convertible and the BMW M3 Coupé.
• Unique combination of outstanding driving dynamics with aesthetic looks, unparalleled experience of open-air motoring and superior everyday driving qualities in that special combination specific to BMW M. Electrohydraulically operated retractable hardtop ensuring supreme performance in the BMW M3 Convertible with nothing but the sky above.
• Authentic BMW M design as the expression of superior drive power; aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome; characteristic front end with large air intakes; powerfully flared wheel arches; specific BMW M interpretation of the classic lines of a BMW Convertible with its dynamically stretched silhouette, low waistline and muscular, low-slung rear end; gill elements in the front side walls; M-specific side sills contoured even more specifically towards the rear of the car as a visual tribute to rear-wheel drive; rear air dam with diffuser optimising the flow of air beneath the car; dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.
• Exclusive driving experience: The unique power and performance of a BMW M3 combined with an incomparably intense experience of the sun and wind unique to a BMW Convertible.
• The BMW M3 Convertible is powered by BMW M’s brand-new V8 displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp; maximum torque is 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm; maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm, optimum muscle and thrust throughout the entire range of engine speed.
• Individual throttle butterflies, variable double-VANOS camshaft control, Brake Energy Regeneration; engine 15 kg lighter than the six-cylinder power unit on the former model. Acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, top speed 250 km/h (155 mph) (limited electronically), average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle 12,9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 21 mpg imp).
• Manual six-speed gearbox with integrated, temperature-controlled oil cooling; two-plate clutch optimised for mass inertia.
• MDrive for setting and retrieving the driver’s favourite engine control map, suspension and DSC set-up and Servotronic control map as an additional option.
• Brand-new suspension with specific, convertible-based reinforcements in typical M configuration, weight-optimised components and M-specific axle kinematics for a highly dynamic driving experience; forged aluminium track control arms; compound high-performance brake system.
• Optional EDC Electronic Damper Control with three selectable control maps; adaptive damper set-up responding to changes on the road surface and in the driver’s style of motoring; EDC allowing appropriate adjustment to extremely dynamic driving conditions at any time, irrespective of the mode chosen.
• Retractable hardtop in lightweight steel structure; three-piece roof structure with fully automatic opening and closing function; remote control of roof opening function featured as standard; opening time 22 seconds; optimum all-round visibility with hardtop closed thanks to large window areas.
• Body structure with extremely high standard of torsional stiffness; all-round occupant protection by frontal and head/thorax airbags, three-point
  inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, belt latch tensioners, belt force limiters and central safety electronics for appropriate control of restraint systems including rollover protection with roll bars moving up automatically behind the rear seats; bi-xenon dual headlights featured as standard, Adaptive Headlights as an option.
• Upgraded, high-class interior with a wide range of customisation options; innovative colour and materials concept; two rear seats with single seat contours; BMW Individual High End audio system with nine-channel amplifier and 16 high-output loudspeakers available as an option; M-specific paintwork and equipment variants.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080115.008/official-bmw-m3-convertible-revealed

Awesome press release photo's finally by BMW - good work, i'm impressed and happy

- car looks brillaint

I love it....

M

2009 BMW M3 Convertible

So long, SMG. The M3 droptop will get BMW’s long-rumored, seven-speed double-clutch transmission—as will the M3 coupe and sedan.

Like any good discount shopper, we appreciate the value of a good two-for-one deal, and BMW just gave us a whopper of a blue-light special. Besides the skinny on the BMW M3 droptop, the Bavarians have also graced us with a bevy of details on a new transmission, the long-rumored dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

Double the Clutches, Half the Broken Vertebrae

Since the M3 convertible has been on our radar for some time, let’s first dive into the transmission, which BMW calls M Double-Clutch Transmission (M DCT). In addition to placing the fancy new box in the M3 convertible, BMW confirms that it will simultaneously debut in the M3 coupe and sedan, too. Possessed of seven forward speeds—equal to the number found in the herky-jerky single-clutch SMG currently used throughout the M portfolio—the M DCT is similar to Volkswagen’s DSG gearbox in that it operates with two clutches on separate output shafts in order to facilitate lightning-fast shifts with no interruption in power delivery. One clutch handles even gears; the other, odd.

The new transmission is engineered to handle up to 9000 rpm, so the M3 V-8’s 8400-rpm redline won’t present a problem. The driver can select from 11 shift programs—five for automatic mode, and six for manual mode. When in automatic mode, the transmission acts like a conventional auto, shifting to the most appropriate gear for the situation. In manual mode, however, the box shifts sequentially, moving up and down through the gears in reaction to inputs from either the gearshift or steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Manual mode also features a launch control program, which will allow the M3 coupe, sedan, and convertible to hit 62 mph from a stop in a claimed 4.6, 4.7, and 5.1 seconds, respectively. Given that a manual-transmission M3 coupe we tested hit 60 in 4.3 and that dual-clutch transmissions shift faster than conventional sticks, we’re going to say those estimates will prove more than a little pessimistic.

This all sounds great, but the thing we’re most looking forward to is being able to drive an M car without wearing a HANS device. The old SMG box—still found in the M5 and M6, although we expect the M DCT to supplant the SMG in those cars soon enough—features notoriously rough shifts, snapping necks even when placed in its least-aggressive setting.

M3 Loses Its Roof, Breaks the Scales

The third body style of the latest M3, the convertible completes the lineup, unless BMW sees fit to offer an M3 wagon—a variant it has never done but one we probably wouldn’t get Stateside, anyway. The recipe is mostly the same: a high-revving, tech-heavy 414-hp, 4.0-liter V-8; a whole mess of aggressive aero bits tacked onto the body; and a standard six-speed manual transmission.

The new M DCT box, of course, will be optional, and the requisite brake upgrades and optional adjustable shocks are there, too. MDrive—the method by which an M3 owner selects their favorite transmission, steering, engine map, stability control, and suspension settings—is available at an additional cost.

As mentioned, BMW predicts 0-to-62-mph runs of 5.1 seconds with the M DCT transmission, and they claim cars with standard manuals should perform the task in 5.3. We’ve weighed an M3 coupe at 3571 pounds, which is heavy enough, but the droptop will pack on an additional 500 or so pounds (!) and top 4000 pounds when equipped with the M DCT.

Accounting for most of the extra weight is the three-piece retractable steel hardtop. It opens and closes in 22 seconds and can be actuated via the car’s remote. Like the regular 3-series convertible on which the M3 ’vert is based, the automatic A/C system features a top-down mode that sets itself according to some sort of wizard hoodoo involving outside temperature and the amount of sunshine.

We love top-down driving, but the M3 convertible has always been a poser-mobile of the highest order. It’s traditionally been way heavier, way flexier, way slower, and way more expensive; we don’t expect the latest iteration to drastically improve on any of those fronts. Oh, well—at least that sweet V-8’s bellow will come through loud and clear with the top dropped.


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Looks like weight is going to be an issue, hmmmm....


M

Well, Merc, is weight really the big issue for someone who is going to buy this car? I think not!
The car is massively improved/grown over the E46 in terms of gadgets, size, folding hardtop, etc. and still at least as fast as the E46 cabrio M3

It wouldn't be for me!!!

M