(Wed 30 Jan 08)

BMW will launch new models in its 3-Series Convertible and 1-Series Coupé ranges at the Geneva Show in March.

The 320d Convertible (pictured) uses the 177bhp two-litre turbo diesel engine already available in other 3-Series cars. It's reasonably quick, with a top speed of 139mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds, but more importantly it also becomes the most economical version of the Convertible; combined fuel economy is 53.3mpg, and the CO2 rating is 140g/km, putting the car squarely into VED Band C.

UK sales begin in March, with prices confirmed as £33,110 for the SE and £35,735 for the more highly-equipped M Sport.

The 125i joins the 120d, 123d and 135i in the 1-Series Coupé range. It uses the familiar 218bhp six-cylinder three-litre petrol engine, and its key figures are 152mph top speed, 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, 35.8mpg combined and 190g/km of CO2 emissions. Prices are £23,195 for the SE, and £25,050 for the M Sport.

BMW will also use Geneva to showcase the new M3 Convertible and the X6 Sports Activity Coupé (pictured above), both of which will go on sale in the next few months.

Other BMW news includes a wider range of colours for the 1-Series, steering wheel-mounted paddles for automatic transmission versions of the 123d and 135i (a £1505 option) and floor mats and front ISOFIX child seat fixings for all versions of the 1-Series, 3-Series and X3.

3-Series saloon and Touring models also come with three packages of options available at lower cost than if you were to buy all the equipment individually. Media Package-Business includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity and BMW ConnectedDrive Assist and Online for a total price of £1645 (or £2115 for SE models). Media Package-Professional is the same thing but with Voice Control and a better navigation display, using widescreen format and perspective view, and it costs £1935 (£2405 on the SE).

Finally, there's a Visibility Package consisting of adaptive xenon headlights, headlight washers, rain and darkness sensors and High-beam assistant. It costs £605, or £270 less than you'd pay for the individual items if they were not part of a package.

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