BMW 1 Series review

Another new style feature is a little more subtle: you will now find the number 1 embossed on the inside of the Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar. Thankfully, it has been subtly done.

Under the skin, the new 1 Series focuses on refinement. Extra struts and crossbraces help to increase chassis rigidity, there are new shock absorbers, the anti-roll bar mounts feature higher pre-loading and the front-wheel castor angle has been increased to aid steering feedback. Wheel sizes now start at 17in, with higher-level cars running on 19s.

While pure petrol and diesel engines will be offered in some markets, UK buyers get a choice of just two – in contrast to the A3, Golf and A-Class, which remain available in many varieties.

The 1 Series range starts with the 120 driven here, with a 168bhp three-cylinder turbo engine boosted by a 48V mild-hybrid system in the gearbox, in Sport and M Sport trims.

There’s also the M135 xDrive, which we’ve also driven and which offers 296bhp from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, down 6bhp from the previous generation. Power is delivered through all four wheels.

Both engine variants are automatic-only (that’s right: you can no longer get a new 1 Series with a manual gearbox) and now use the same seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The M135 features a raft of extra chassis upgrades, thanks to its adaptive M suspension, with further upgrades found by adding an M Technology Pack.

The adaptive M suspension, which can lower the ride by up to 8mm, is optional on the 120 and was fitted to our test car. It features frequency-selective dampers and features stiffer rear-axle bushings and (even more) extra crossbraces.

The ride is generally good, too. It can jar a touch on larger bumps and potholes but nothing particularly untoward. That said, the roads in Bavaria that we traversed for this first drive were far smoother than most of the ones you will find in the UK, so final judgement must wait until cars start to arrive here.

The M135 has received a raft of further chassis upgrades in bid to improve stability and handing. That includes the Adaptive M Chassis, which can lower the vehicle by up to 8mm, sport steering and lightweight 19in alloy wheels.

If you select the M Technology Pack that was fitted to our test car, you also gain tuned dampers, stiffer stabiliser brackets at the rear, 19in brakes and stiffer piston rods. That all combines to ensure the M135 can offer that hot hatch handling without feeling overly compromised and stiff for everyday use.

The steering is responsive and crisp and turn-in is good, with plenty of front-end grip. In fact, it’s quite hard to unsettle, with an ability to deploy enough grip to simply fire out of corners with minimal drama. It’s incredibly capable, although those who still remember the rear-driven M135i of old might find their spectacles becoming ever more rose-tinted.

Various single options are offered along with three packs for the 120, including a Technology Pack that adds in adaptive headlights and a wireless charger and a Technology Plus Pack that adds a head-up display and parking assistance.

There's also an M Sport Pro Pack offered on both the 120 and M135 that adds extra sporty design accoutrements, along with a rear spoiler and brakes.

The 120 has official fuel economy of 47-53.3mpg, aided by that 48V mild-hybrid system. On our mixed test route, we averaged just over 40mpg, which is a reasonable return for a car in this class, comparable with the likes of the A3 35 TFSI.

With its performance engine and no electrical boost, the M135 predictably is less efficient, with an official figure of 34.9-37.2mpg, although that is slightly up on the official WLTP figure of the A35.

We had relatively limited running in the M135 to get a true real-world figure, but indications are that around 30mph is achievable without too much effort.