The story of Bertone: the most controversial coachbuilder ever
The beginning of Bertone Bertone was founded in November 1912, when Giovanni Bertone, then aged 28, opened a workshop specialising in the construction and…
BMW 3 Series Klapp Top
The BMW 3 Series Klapp Top by Bertone.
Vehicle Overview
The BMW 3 Series Klapp Top showcases Bertone’s longstanding tradition of creating innovative cabriolet designs. This collaboration, initiated in 2000, involved working with Edscha, a leading producer of fold-away roofs, to bring a new level of sophistication and functionality to the traditional four-seater cabriolet. The KlappTop was designed specifically for the BMW 320, embodying the elegance and modernity expected from both BMW and Bertone. The highlight of this project was the fold-away hard top, a remarkable engineering feat based on five mobile panels. The rearmost panel ingeniously integrated the rear glass windscreen, adding to the sleek aesthetics of the car when the top was down. The operation of the KlappTop was a complex yet seamless process. The folding mechanism relied on 13 leverage points per side, powered by two hydraulic cylinders. This ensured smooth and efficient transitions between open and closed states. An automatic blocking mechanism provided additional safety by securing the roof when it was fully open or closed, preventing accidental movements during driving. The rear shelf of the KlappTop consisted of five panels: two lateral sliding panels and a central one with two hinged lateral elements. This intricate system was powered by four electric motors, two on each side, ensuring precise and reliable operation. The main opening, which also functioned as the boot’s access point, was hinged at the rear end of the body and operated by two hydraulic cylinders. This design allowed for easy access to the trunk even when the roof was folded down, maintaining the practicality of a traditional saloon. This sophisticated system transformed the BMW 320 into a versatile vehicle that combined the comfort and style of a saloon with the exhilarating experience of a cabriolet. The KlappTop represented a perfect blend of form and function, demonstrating Bertone’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive design. Through this innovative project, Bertone and Edscha successfully brought the luxurious motorised hood technology, typically reserved for top-range sports cars, to a more traditional, yet modern, four-seater vehicle.
Technical Specifications
-
Body
-
Year2000
-
MakeBMW
-
Model3 Series
-
CoachbuilderBertone
-
Length (mm)N/A
-
Width (mm)N/A
-
Height (mm)N/A
-
Units builtN/A
-
Engine TypeN/A
-
DesignerN/A
-
MakeN/A
-
ModelN/A
-
Cylinder CapacityN/A
-
Number Of DoorsN/A
-
Six Month RateN/A
-
Twelve Month RateN/A
-
Date Of First RegistrationN/A
-
Year Of ManufactureN/A
-
CO2 EmissionsN/A
-
Fuel TypeN/A
-
Tax StatusN/A
-
TransmissionN/A
-
ColourN/A
-
Type ApprovalN/A
-
Wheel PlanN/A
-
Revenue WeightN/A
-
Tax DetailsN/A
-
Mot DetailsN/A
-
TaxedN/A
-
motN/A
-
MakeN/A
-
Cylinder CapacityN/A
-
RegistrationN/A
-
Year Of ManufactureN/A
-
CO2 MissionsN/A
-
Fuel TypeN/A
-
Tax StatusN/A
-
ColourN/A
-
Type ApprovalN/A
-
Wheel PlanN/A
-
Revenue WeightN/A
Subscribe
Login
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
