BMW’s M Group is considering retaining a soft top design for the forthcoming M3 convertible, which would eschew the E92 platform’s latest folding hard top design on the 335i and 330i convertibles.

The new 3-series convertible loads extra pounds by moving to Edscha’s folding top design, which is beautiful and quiet by any measure. The company is working to develop a special soft top which would withstand the M3’s high speeds while retaining high levels of interior quietness.

Another option would be to keep the folding hard top concept, but with carbon fiber panels and carbon fiber arm extensions. This would be costly, for sure, but it would achieve a higher level of interior noise reduction without much weight.