One of the most urgent questions about Cabrios Today is not only whether they will survive in a world that is increasingly dominated by SUVs and EVS, but in what form they will exist. Will BMW continue to build traditional combustion companies, or is the future still and electrical?
When BMW’s product manager Bernd Koerber was asked directly, the complexity of the question emphasized. “Nowadays it is very difficult to make this general judgment, because I’m looking at the USA now, I look at Europe, I look at China – cheeky,” said the executive.
Market emphasis differ
What could feel relevant in a market could be completely irrelevant in another. In the United States and in Europe, the emotional stress on the open-air driving still has a strong connection to engine noise and performance. In other regions, especially in parts of Asia, the narrative can shift more comfortably to breastfeed, electrical drops.
This deviation of the expectations of consumers is why BMW insists on avoiding a uniform strategy. “That’s why I would say – and there I hope that we have proven to be correct – that our approach to stay more or less technologically neutral is good,” said the managing director.
A flexible philosophy
The commitment of BMW for flexibility means that customers offer a variety of drive strand options depending on the model and market. “We made sure that we basically have the option for every car – not in everyone, but in most cars – that we always have the entire selection of options, from hybrid to ice,” he noted.
In practical terms, the future of the Cabriolio could exist on parallel paths: the visceral attraction of a combustion engine for those who want to, in addition to the futuristic serenity of an electrical convertible for those who have been drawn from this experience.
Electric passion space
And while many enthusiasts still associate convertibles with the emotional soundtrack of an inline six or V8, BMW sees no reason why this passion cannot extend into the EV era. “I am sure that there will also be lovers and BMW lovers of BEV Cabrios and Coupes,” concluded the executive.
For BMW, the future of the Cabriolo is not about whether it will exist, but how. In the new class era, the brand’s answer can be: why not both? However, what remains uncertain is whether BMW guarantees a seamless transition or leaves a gap between the generations – a question that the company has not yet answered.
