BMW drop-top goes green

• 1 Series Convertible gets new engines
• Improved economy, lower emissions
• Prices from £23,660

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The BMW 1 Series Convertible is now available with two clean and economical diesel engines.

The 118d Convertible is powered by a 2.0-litre engine, with official combined economy of 57.6mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 129g/km.

That puts the car in the 18% band for company car tax. Going green shouldn’t mean putting up with sluggish performance: the 118d goes from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds.

Buyers looking for stronger acceleration will prefer the 123d, which has a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel under the bonnet.

BMW claims a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds but the car should achieve 52.3mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 144g/km of CO2. That puts the 123d in the 20% company car tax bracket.

The 118d is priced from £23,660, while the 123d starts from £28,105.