Now in its fourth incarnation and after 20 years in production, BMW's entry-level 1 Series comes in options very much slimmed down from previous model line-ups.
In a sign of the times, the car will no longer have a diesel engine choice or indeed a manual gearbox choice.
The design of the latest version isn’t quite revolutionary - the long sloping bonnet line and roofline are still very much in evidence - but there’s a marked difference to the car’s profile in terms of its low stance and angled, muscular styling.
It certainly looks more different, even a little more radical, than one might have expected.
The dimensions are essentially the same as those of the outgoing model, with slight modifications to length and height.
The line-up is a lot simpler, with only two versions. The entry-level version is the 120, which has a three-cylinder engine for more efficiency (but it dos have a turbo) and then there’s a sports version with BMW’s sports trimmings with a 300 horse power output. The car is due to go on sale in October with a price of €40,330 for the 120 and a pretty steep €64,740 for the M135 version.
Interestingly - this may upset BMW purists - the 1 Series is now a front wheel drive car, while the M 135 gets full-time four wheel drive. The M 135 also comes with an adaptive M-Sport chassis, a sports steering wheel and 18" wheels.
The lower and slimmer design has been tied in with mild-hybrid function and a complete chassis re-tune. The gearbox is a seven-speed automatic that has been very impressive on other BMWs.
The interior - as is the case with almost all new cars these days - is dominated by screen display. There are two screens that we have already seen in other recent BMW cars. There’s a 10.7" infotainment screen and a 10.25" digital instrument cluster.
Buttons have been reduced and integrated into the screen - something that bothers me slightly as I’m one for easily accessible buttons for quick changes to things like climate control.
BMW does say, however, that you won’t have to go fiddling into any sub menus as there is a quick select function.
Standard equipment includes front collision warning, lane departure alert, traffic sign recognition and a parking assistant. Heated front seats, LED lights front and rear, automatic air conditioning, satellite navigation and a head-up digital display are also standard.
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