BMW Unveils M3 Cabrio PLUS new twin-clutch 'box

The third and final body version of the new BMW M3 has been unveiled: the BMW M3 Convertible. Unlike previous M3 convertibles, the new model features an automatically retractable hardtop making it safer and more secure. The styling changes are similar to the those of the standard M3, with a special aluminium 'powerdome' bonnet, aggressive bumpers with large air intakes, flared wheel arches, chrome gills on the wings, a rear diffuser and quad tailpipes. The 420hp V8 and drivetrain are carried over from the coupé and saloon models although the convertible's extra weight does blunt acceleration a tad: 0 to 100km/h takes 5.3 seconds while top speed remains limited to 250 km/h. Average fuel consumption is rated at 12.9L/100km. The chassis is specific to the convertible, though, with special body reinforcements to cope with the M3's power and special suspension setting to accommodate the convertible's different handling characteristics. Active dampers are optional. In terms of safety, front and head/thorax airbags, ESP, pop-up roll-over bars and xenon headlights are standard featured as standard.BMW also announced that the M3 will be the first car to get its new twin-clutch transmission, which will finally replace its unloved SMG system. The new seven-speed gearbox, imaginatively called 'Double Clutch Gearbox' works in a similar fashion to VW's DSG gearbox, using one clutch for even gears and the other for odd gears, thereby eliminating the delay between shifts that plagued its previous self-shifting gearboxes. Designed to work specifically with its high-revving M engines, the DCG's gearshift is rifle-quick but in normal driving it also helps save fuel and reduce the rather large carbon footprint of the M3 range. This being a BMW there are, naturally, eleven electronically controlled driving programs - five shift programs in automatic mode and six in manual mode including 'Launch Control' and efficiency modes. Thankfully, the M3's DCG can also be paddle-operated with shift lights for the proper F1 experience.