The first images and official details of the BMW M4 Convertible, the drop top version of the M4 coupe have been revealed and must we say, the M4 convertible looks smashing topless. With the top removed, there are plenty of changes incorporated in the M4 Convertible to make it handle and offer the same madness and comfort as the Coupe version. On the outset, the fixed roof is replaced by a three-part metal roof that can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds upto a speed of 12 km/hr. BMW says that the new M4 Convertible is around 2 decibels quieter than the older M3 convertible.
The M4 Convertible retains the styling elements from the coupe version, but gets added weight to support the topless beast. The M4 Convertible weighs in at 1750 kgs; 250 kgs heavier than the coupe, but 60 kgs lighter than its predecessor. BMW has extensively used aluminium throughout the car on the hood, front wings and some chassis components along with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the propeller and strut brace to keep the weight low and structural rigidity high.
On the outside, you get the massive and wide front bumper and a voluptuous bonnet. The side profile carries the side grilles and air intakes, while the rear gets the ///M badge and the trademark quad exhausts. The M4 Convertible gets 19-inch wheels as standard. Hop inside the M4 and you get electrically adjustable heated leather seats, individual rear seats, and a multi-function M steering wheel. Then, there is also BMW’s version of keeping your neck warm called the ‘air collar’, which is essentially a blower mounted between the headrest and upper-seat. You also get a wider wind deflector on the front seats.
Powering the absolutely maddening M4 Convertible is the untamed 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine producing 431 BHP of unadulterated pleasure and 550 Nm of torque, the same unit also powers the coupe. Being heavier than its coupe sibling, performance does take a slight toll with 0-100 km/hr coming up 4.6 seconds (4.3 secs on the coupe) with the standard manual gearbox. Shall you opt for the optional dual-clutch auto transmission; the 0-100 km/hr sprint is completed in 4.4 seconds (4.1 on the coupe).
Like all new BMWs, the M4 Convertible also gets EfficientDynamics fuel-saving technologies which include stop-start, brake energy regeneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units. Not that it matters much, but the M4 manages a very decent 11.5 km/l (under ideal conditions), while CO2 emissions have been reduced to 203 g/km on the automatic variant. The boot space is limited to 220-litres with the roof down and up to 370-litres with the roof up.
Keeping the BMW M4 Convertible sedate are the electronics on the vehicle that you can choose from. You get an active differential, DSC with M dynamic mode, while the adaptive suspension comes with three modes namely Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Prices for the M4 Convertible start at 60,730 Pounds (Rs. 60.23 lakhs) and will go on sale in the UK on 6th September 2014. The optional auto-box costs an additional 2645 Pounds (Rs. 2.62 lakhs). The Indian launch though is still a distant dream and will be a CBU model priced above the Rs. 1 crore mark.
