Top-down motoring seems to be getting more and more popular these days, or at least this is what premium car manufacturers are expecting. BMW India has introduced its third convertible for India, the 330d. The 3-series convertible will join the Z4 (launched in 2009) and the new 6-series (March 2011) to round off their convertible range.
The 330d convertible features a folding metal hardtop and gets the same engine from the bigger 530d saloon. The 2993cc,straight-six diesel motor develops 243bhp and 55.1kgm of torque and that will mean that the light 3-series will perform like a scalded cat. The 330d will be imported to India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and will cost Rs 57 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is Rs 25 lakh more than the top-end 320d exclusive saloon.
There is no doubting the style quotient and exclusivity of the convertible, though and it will be the most affordable convertible in BMW's Indian range, priced nearly Rs 5 lakh lower than the Z4. It also has an added pair of seats, albeit suitable mostly for children and short trips, and it comes with an efficient diesel unit, which could be key to its success in India.
BMW India has already started taking bookings for the 330d convertible.
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Lenny D'sa
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
