This is the new BMW M4 Convertible, the drop-top version of the M4 Coupe, which has been officially revealed ahead of its debut at the New York Motor Show later this month.
Underneath, the M4 Convertible is fitted with the same 431bhp, 406lb-ft straight-six turbocharged engine you'll find in both the M3 and M4 Coupe, with the same choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed double-clutch gearboxes.
As you'd expect, the big difference between the M4 Coupe and the Convertible is the roof. The new car features a brand new three-piece folding hard-top which can be stowed away at the touch of a button in just 20 seconds. BMW claims that the extra insulation fitted to the new car means that the cabin is 2dB quieter than it was in the old M3 Convertible.
There's also a new neck-warming Air Collar system, which -- much like Mercedes' almost-identical Air Scarf system -- uses a fan to waft warm air onto the back of your neck when the roof's down.
Of course, the big problem with convertibles is that they tend to be quite weighty. This is fine in most cars; however, in a performance car like the M4, it has the potential to spoil everything. The M4 Coupe tips the scales at 1500kg, but thanks to its heavy roof, the Convertible weighs 1,750kg.
BMW has done its best to keep the weight down by fitting aluminium wings and chassis components, an aluminium bonnet and a carbon-fibre prop shaft; however, the upshot is that 0-62mph takes 4.6 seconds with the manual gearbox and 4.4 with the optional double-clutch transmission -- 0.3 seconds slower than the coupe.
Granted, this isn't exactly what you'd call slow, and the M4 Convertible should remain good to drive thanks to its electronically controlled limited-slip differential and adaptive M suspension.
It should be a practical car too -- there's 370-litres of boot space with the roof up and 220-litres when it's down. BMW also claims the Convertible will return 31mpg with the manual 'box and 32.5mpg in automatic guise, which, although slightly down on the coupe's 34mpg, isn't bad at all for a big, heavy performance car.
Priced from £60,730, the new M4 Convertible will go on sale in the UK in September.
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