New diesels are fast and economical

The BMW 1 Series Convertible is being offered with the award-winning 2-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine

BMW is offering drivers drop-top thrills with lower bills – the BMW 1 Series Convertible is now being offered with two diesel engines, adding the BMW 118d Convertible and BMW 123d Convertible to the range.

The BMW 1 Series Convertible – which launched last October – now features a 2-litre turbocharged diesel engine (badged 118d Convertible) churning out 143bhp and 221lb/ft of pulling power, while returning 57.6mpg on the combined cycle.

The new BMW 118d Convertible emits 129g/km of CO2, meaning road tax will cost £120 this year and £90 next year. BMW claims it is the “most economical and least polluting convertible in its class”.

The stunning BMW 1 Series Convertible is also being offered with the award-winning 2-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine producing 204bhp and 300lb/ft of pulling power – meaning a 0-62mph sprint of just 7.5 seconds.

This BMW 123d Convertible is capable of returning 52.3mpg on the combined cycle – more than a 1.5-litre Mazda 2 supermini – and emits 144g/km of CO2, meaning an annual road tax bill of £120.

Prices for the new BMW 118d Convertible start from £23,660, and £28,105 for the BMW 123d Convertible.

BMW celebrates 30 years of the famous ‘M’ division this year – marking the date the first BMW M1 from 1978 was built to compete in the ProCar series.

And the company recently sold its 300th M-badged model – a new V8-engined BMW M3 Coupe was sold to a customer in Regensburg, where it was built.

The German carmaker has also announced two new special edition models – the BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Premium, and the BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Exclusive.

The BMW X3 xDrive 20d SE Edition Premium gets new 17-inch light alloy wheels, chrome exhaust pipes, a chrome kidney grille and ‘Space Grey” metallic paint.

The new BMW X3 xDrive 20d SE Edition Exclusive comes fitted with 18-inch light alloy wheels, ‘Mineral Green’ metallic paint and ‘Nevada’ leather upholstery.

by Vijay Pattni