Fast Facts

Verdict:
Despite the porky weight, 125i Convertible drives like a BMW should, and leaves us hungry for more of the 1 Series

Superb handling, sumptuous ride quality, silky six-cylinder engine

Cramped seating for rear passengers, less refined than tin-topped rivals

BMW’s 1 Series is finally finding its way to Singapore, and we’ve had our first taste of the car in the form of the 125i Convertible

By Leow Ju-Len in Valencia, Spain

I DON’T KNOW if you’ve noticed, but BMW’s been on something of an open car kick lately, and now offers four models which deliver fresh air motoring.

The latest and cheapest of these is the 1 Series Convertible, which joins three- and five-door hatchbacks and a two-door coupe in BMW’s entry-level model family. Though the freshly-launched Convertible will be making its way to European showrooms in time for Spring, it won’t be until the middle of the year or so that you’ll be seeing one on local roads.

With the 1 Series Convertible, the basic ingredients are four-seats and a cloth top, and uniquely in the market, rear wheel-drive.

The actual variants destined for our market have yet to be decided, but overseas there are 118i, 120i and 135i versions, in addition to the 125i we drove.