REMEMBER the days when convertible cars were slinky, beautiful and a bit petite, usually seen with a blonde wearing a scarf? Well, the BMW 1-series Convertible is not like that.

There's none of the delicate lines that have defined the pretty drop-tops of yesteryear. Even though the proportions are classic BMW (short nose, leggy wheelbase and a relatively long tail), the 1-series looks stocky.

The styling is probably what the designer types would call 'fussy'; and it is unlikely that it will ever be mentioned in the same breath as 'gorgeous'.

Yet, the small and chunky convertible makes a firm and masculine statement that should appeal even to the alpha males who otherwise avoid convertibles.

It is not just the car's looks that oozes testosterone. Throughout the test drive around the roads of Valencia, the 125i feels like a taut and thoroughly masculine creature.

BMW has been dabbling in convertible-specific technologies of late and the 1-series shows some of the progress made. For example, like in the recently updated 6-series, the leather upholstery has special pigments to keep it cooler than regular hide.

It was a little difficult to ascertain its effectiveness under the Spanish skies, where average temperatures hovered around 12 deg C, but the heated seat function did get a good try-out.

The climate control system has a unique Convertible Mode, which maintains the set temperature - that is, warmer than 12 degrees when the roof is folded - with amazing efficiency.

The roof itself is quite an achievement. A folding hard-top could not be achieved without leaving the car with an ungainly backside devoid of space for luggage. So a soft-top was the only way to go. The fabric canopy manages to fold itself rather compactly to leave decent boot space - 260 litres, or 305 litres with the roof up - for a car in this class.

By the way, the car is touted to be a four-seater - assuming the rear passengers have no legs, or shoulders.

More usefully, the roof mechanism can be initiated at speeds up to 40kmh (pssst, it'll keep going till 50kmh) and takes no more than 22 seconds. Handy in today's unpredictable weather.

Insulation with the roof in place is good, with only the howl of a storming superbike that overtook the car at more than 200kmh on the highway managing to break the serenity in the 140kmh cabin.

Even with the roof down and wind deflector in place, there's rarely any need to shout to hold a conversation.

Give the car the beans and the engine reacts with creamy smoothness and vigour, making a cultured purr in the process. Despite what is written on its bum, the 125i has a 3-litre engine in front.

The engine, with its linear power delivery, is as much at ease spinning at its mid-range as it is bouncing off the 7,000rpm limiter. In fact, it is the perfect accomplice to the 125i's dynamic set-up.

The car's six-speed manual box proves to be a cinch too, although it is almost certain that Singapore will get only the automatic version.

Interestingly, the 125i auto actually posts a slightly lower fuel consumption figure in city traffic than the manual.

While convertibles on the more accessible side of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder tend to prefer a more genteel driving style and waddle under stress, the 125i takes to serious man-handling with aplomb.

It is deviously accurate on the narrow, twisting Spanish country roads, with more than enough grip to offer a sufficient margin of safety. Bombing along these challenging roads, its relative compact size affords it more liberties than a Lambo or even a BMW 3-series can take.

Crucially, the 125i didn't achieve this with a back-breakingly solid suspension or gumball- wide tyres. In fact, the car seems more softly sprung than other recent BMWs, so the ride is cushy. As for rubbers, the prescribed size is a mere 205mm across, less than some hot hatches today.

But then, none of those hot hatches can give you a tan. And you can almost understand why BMW didn't make the car pretty. It's meant to be manly. Grunt!

The writer is editor of Torque, a monthly published by SPH Magazines.

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BMW 125i CONVERTIBLE

Price: To be known by second half of the year when car arrives
Engine: 2,979cc 24-valve inline-6
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Power: 218bhp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 270Nm at 2,500rpm
0-100kmh: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 238kmh
Fuel consumption: 11.7 litres/ 100km (city)
Agent: Performance Motors