There are several reasons why the new 2007 BMW 335i Convertible has been built with a retractable hardtop instead of a conventional cloth top.

Most of them are practical but boring, like security and wind noise. But for Albin Dirndorfer, BMW’s project manager for the new 2007 3 Series Convertible, it is all about elegance

We can see why Dirndorfer felt the urge to take his “elegance” metaphor a little too far. The new 335i convertible is an attractive mix of complex engineering and fine design.

Although built from lightweight steel, the hardtop’s three folding panels don’t make the structure of the car any more rigid when the top is deployed. This chore is accomplished by chassis reinforcements built into the floorpan and rear bulkhead.

This additional structure, plus the hardtop and its operating mechanism, pads on 452 pounds to the 3,571-pound 335i coupe for a total of 4,023 pounds.

The twin-turbo, 300-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6 in the 335i convertible might have the mass of 4,023 pounds to move around, but there’s not a quicker four-seat convertible short of a Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG. BMW claims this new convertible with its six-speed manual transmission will accelerate to 60 mph 5.8 seconds, just 0.3 second slower than a coupe with a six-speed manual.

In order to maintain optimal front-to-rear weight distribution, plastic quarter panels are used up front. According to BMW, these new panels are not only 50 percent lighter than equivalent steel versions, they’re also dent-resistant.

Go ahead and mark this as the only time BMW will ever draw technical inspiration from Saturn.

Set to go on sale in April for around $46,000, the 2007 BMW 335i Convertible will enter the market with few direct competitors.

The enhancement package for the already stylish XK is designed to lower the visual stance of the Coventry cat.

The transformation started with a slightly wider body that adds an extra 30mm in front and 80mm in back. It’s enough to make you notice a difference, but it avoids the typical big-fendered look of most aftermarket kits. From there, Fabrizio gave this Mustang a much longer, lower profile thanks to an innovative panoramic roof built by a Detroit area supplier. It’s made from a special crystal that filters out 100 percent of UVA rays so you can enjoy unobstructed views without getting cooked.

From there, he turned his attention to the details. In back, Fabrizio added a twist to the Mustang’s classic three-lens taillights by giving them a new overall shape that not only looks more modern, it mimics the rear window louvers. Up front, Giugiaro maintained the unmistakable shape of the headlights, but added LED lights that match the body’s eye-catching orange color.

More than just a design concept, this Mustang was built to run with help from Ford Racing. Starting with a standard GT’s 4.6-liter V8, Ford’s engineers added a twin-screw supercharger, Ford GT fuel injectors, larger mass air meter and a free flow filter. Along with Ford Racing muffler and an X-pipe, this concept delivers an estimated 500 horsepower.

Interior:

Developed by GM Powertrain engineers on both sides of the Atlantic, the Opel GT is equipped with a 264-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine based on the 2.2-liter direct injection unit available in the Vectra model range since 2004 and on the 2.0-liter turbo induction unit that made its debut in the Vectra GTS in spring 2003.

It has an output of 264 hp at 5,300 rpm and maximum torque of 260 pound-feet at 2,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

The roadster accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of approximately 143 mph.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes, an electronic stability program and power accessories.

The existence of the Camaro Convertible concept was so predictable, in fact, that any number of Photoshop manipulators, both amateur and professional, have already built their own. Or at least they have made virtual versions of it for fun or profit. In the last 12 months an entire cottage industry has cropped up around digitally chopping the top off last year’s Camaro Coupe concept.

Even Chevy’s public relations people don’t mention how much horsepower the 6.0-liter small-block V8 makes or the number of gears in the manual transmission. When pressed, they’ll say it’s “carryover” from the coupe, meaning 400 hp, six speeds and rear-wheel drive.

The suspension is all-independent just as it will be when the production version, based on an Australian-designed Holden platform, arrives in about two years. Likewise, the top engine will be the big pushrod V8, while base cars will receive V6 power.

The F-450 is not only massive on the outside but also massive (in design spirit, anyway) on the inside. A brand-new interior features a dash that carries lots of heavy-duty design themes, although it looks a bit overstated. On the plus side, the controls on the center stack are familiar and work well. And there are useful storage compartments everywhere.

With 24,500 pounds of towing capacity, the 2008 Ford F-450 might well be the only factory-built, heavy-duty choice that you have. Just enjoy the view!

1) Fold a NEW “PINK” $20 bill in half…

2) Fold again, taking care to fold it exactly as below

3) Fold the other end, exactly as before

4) Now, simply turn it over…

What a coincidence! A simple geometric fold creates a catastrophic premonition printed on all $20 bills!!!

As if that wasn’t enough .. here is what you’ve seen…
First: The Pentagon on fire..

Then The Twin Towers…

And now look at this…!

Check every image to enlarge

Living with the Solstice is a challenge. While its main competitor, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, offers a usable trunk, the Solstice does not. With only 4 square feet of cargo volume with the top up and virtually none (around 1.5 square feet) with the top down, grocery shopping is an impossibility. Editors would have to buy milk today and orange juice tomorrow.

A quick look at the test numbers from the track show impressive statistics — a 7.2-second 0-60-mph time, a 15.6-second quarter-mile at 88 mph and a 66.2-mph spin through the slalom. All are comparable to or better than the Miata.

While the Miata offers a brilliant top system that folds down with a single over-the-shoulder gesture, locking with a simple push-down — we did it once in 1.5 seconds — the Solstice is cumbersome at best. You must exit the car, pop the trunk, lift the lid, detach the roof, fold down and then shut the lid. Our best time in the Solstice was more than 20 seconds to get the roof down and locked. Thanks to a poor design, the latch hook that secures the roof to the windshield frame can be bent easily when putting the roof down for storage. We did it about a dozen times.

Dealer Service Reviews
15,000-Mile Service:
Boulevard Buick/Pontiac/GMC in Long Beach
Oct. 10, 2006

We pulled into the service drive on time for our scheduled 7a.m. appointment and were pleased to see we were the only car in line. The optimist in us saw this as the line half-empty and was looking forward to the service finishing quickly and being on our way. It turns out that the line was really half-full because it wasn’t until 9:30 that the keys were back in our hand and we were paying the bill.

Service items performed: Change oil and filter, service emission system, rotate tires and a “Goodwrench” visual inspection of tires, belts, fluid levels, etc. Total bill for parts and labor, $225.96

At all.. it’s a car that fully diserve to be driven.