We've already raved about the good looks of the 2 Series Convertible, following our recent stint with it. But if performance is placed ahead of physical appearance, then the M235i Convertible should be even more up the alley.
That said, this car is not a proper 'M' car within the rigid hierarchy of BMW's performance models. Like the M235i Coupe, the convertible is one of the 'M Performance' derivatives rather than one of the single-digit, pure bred M cars such as the M3, M4, M5, etc.
But as the very first drop-top ever to wear the 'M Performance' badge, the soft-top M235i is nothing short of a mouth-watering proposition.
Up close and Personal
There's no denying the M235i Convertible is a pretty little thing. Compared to the previous 1 Series Convertible, the 2 Series looks even better as a drop-top with a long deck lid and a strong sense of aggression.
Its compact styling, sharp angles and heavily sculpted flanks also make it easy on the eye no matter what angle it's viewed from.
That said, this car is not a proper 'M' car within the rigid hierarchy of BMW's performance models. Like the M235i Coupe, the convertible is one of the 'M Performance' derivatives rather than one of the single-digit, pure bred M cars such as the M3, M4, M5, etc.
But as the very first drop-top ever to wear the 'M Performance' badge, the soft-top M235i is nothing short of a mouth-watering proposition.
Up close and Personal
There's no denying the M235i Convertible is a pretty little thing. Compared to the previous 1 Series Convertible, the 2 Series looks even better as a drop-top with a long deck lid and a strong sense of aggression.
Its compact styling, sharp angles and heavily sculpted flanks also make it easy on the eye no matter what angle it's viewed from.
The car's tidy interior is familiar 2 Series' territory so there is nothing new to expect here, except some fancy metal trim and some rather attractive accent strips that come in either Estoril Blue or gloss black. The difference then, is up.
The electric roof mechanism makes the rear seats noticeably more narrow and upright than the ones in the coupe, but head and legroom is more than sufficient and there is also the option of unlimited headroom with the push of a button.
With the fabric roof stowed - a process that takes 20 seconds and can be done very refreshingly at speeds up to 50km/h - and the wind whipping around your head, the car starts to come alive.
The Drive
The 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine is a peach and offers an infectious blend of responsive power, high-revving capacity as well as effective torque that stays consistent over a wide engine rev range.
Abundant torque is available in the low to mid range and this is key to the car's friendly demeanour in the bump and grind of gridlocked traffic around the city of Munich.
That said, there is a performance penalty as compared to the coupe, with the convertible assuming a 0.2-second deficit in reaching 100km/h. But with the roof down, you'll likely be so immersed in the experience that it's hard to notice the difference.
The brilliant eight-speed automatic grabs the right gear at exactly the right moment, in perfect sync with the engine but the real deal comes from holding onto the ratios until you smack the limiter.
At this point, the engine note responds with an enthusiastic flare of revs together with a soulful exhaust burble. And, of course, with the roof down it sounds even sweeter than the coupe.
Other differences to the coupe include slightly more noise intruding the fabric roof during rapid highway cruises along the Autobahn and a weight surplus of around 150kg.
The 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine is a peach and offers an infectious blend of responsive power, high-revving capacity as well as effective torque that stays consistent over a wide engine rev range.
Abundant torque is available in the low to mid range and this is key to the car's friendly demeanour in the bump and grind of gridlocked traffic around the city of Munich.
That said, there is a performance penalty as compared to the coupe, with the convertible assuming a 0.2-second deficit in reaching 100km/h. But with the roof down, you'll likely be so immersed in the experience that it's hard to notice the difference.
The brilliant eight-speed automatic grabs the right gear at exactly the right moment, in perfect sync with the engine but the real deal comes from holding onto the ratios until you smack the limiter.
At this point, the engine note responds with an enthusiastic flare of revs together with a soulful exhaust burble. And, of course, with the roof down it sounds even sweeter than the coupe.
Other differences to the coupe include slightly more noise intruding the fabric roof during rapid highway cruises along the Autobahn and a weight surplus of around 150kg.
There's no doubt the extra mass has made the convertible less nimble than the fleet-footed coupe but it's still an absolute blast to drive. Pushing it hard, the car feels agile and body roll is virtually nonexistent.
More importantly, the M235i Convertible rewards its driver with a talkative and consistently weighted steering plus excellent response to directional changes.
Conclusion
This is a great and fast drop-top that doesn't compromise refinement or comfort for wind-in-your-hair motoring. Like its coupe stable mate, the M235i Convertible has a distinct and genuine personality for a high-performance car that is fit for everyday use.
Despite its place in what should be the lowest of pecking orders, this drop-top is as much fun to drive as anything that currently wears an 'M' badge.
The M235i Convertible is currently available in Singapore from $256,800 (as of 30th June 2015).
