Until BMW makes an official statement on what it has decided to name the replacements for today’s 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models, we’ll have to keep using both the 3- and 4-Series monikers to describe the two-door body styles of the Bavarian maker’s most popular model.

Over the past few months and aside from the official presentation of the sedan in October, we have shown you spy shots of the next M3 sedan, the 3-Series Touring, the 3 or 4-Series Coupe, and the 3- or 4-Series Gran Turismo fastback, but this is the first time we’re sharing scoops of the Convertible model.

As evident from the photos, BMW will stick with the current model’s more practical folding hardtop solution and a four-seat layout, with the convertible sharing most of its exterior parts and bespoke styling cues with the coupe model of the series.

There are a lot of changes going on under the hood as BMW is killing its legendary naturally aspirated inline-six gasoline engines and replacing them with a new lineup of turbocharged four-cylinder units, namely a 1.6-liter for Europe and a global 2.0-liter with up to 240HP at launch.

A blown straight-six with 300HP (306HP in the EU) will be the most powerful engine of the range until BMW pops the M badge on the boot.

A selection of turbocharged diesels will also be on offer in Europe and other markets.

We anticipate the cabriolet to debut about the same time as the coupe late next year or in the beginning of 2013. Stay tuned for more details.

Photo Credits: CarPix

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