There is just no mistaking the family ties of this, the youngest sibling on the BMW family tree as the split kidney front grille is perhaps the most recognized styling cue there is.
A sweeping, curved rocker treatment carries the eye to the pronounced fender flares both fore and aft and the high belt line, raised rear lid and molded bumper treatments make a strong statement that this new addition is just a scaled down version of its more familiar brethren.
Contributing to the clean lines, the one button-power convertible top stows fully beneath a solid panel providing top-down driving for four.
As part of the Sport Package, the standard 16-inch light-alloy wheels can be upsized to 17-inches and mounted with low-profile performance tires.
The single engine choice is a 3 Liter, DOHC inline 6 that produces 230 horsepower and is connected to the rear wheels via the standard 6-speed manual or optional Steptronic automatic transmission.
Four-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes with dynamic brake control are standard.
The 128i delivers nearly identical mileage numbers for both the manual and automatic transmission equipped cars with the EPA estimating usage at 18 City/28 Highway for the manual and just 1 MPG less for the automatic on the highway.
Interior is typically refined BMW fare with power-adjustable front leatherette or upgradeable full-leather seats, a multi-function leather-wrapped adjustable steering wheel and AM/FM, CD/MP3 audio system up front. In back is comfortable seating for two as well as a pass-through equipment bag that extends trunk capacity.
BMW roll-over protection and a full compliment of air bags are standard.
Although MSRP for the 128i starts at $33,100 our test car carried a window sticker of about $40,000 and there were still a few options that were not checked off. A 4 year/50,000 mile warranty is provided.
The new 128i Convertible may be the younger sibling of the BMW family, but it takes no back seat when it comes to top-down driving...with style