What is it?
It may not quite have established itself into the UK
car-buying public's emotions at the same level as the very popular Audi A3, but BMW's 1-Series has quietly forged its own niche in the Bavarian car firm's line-up. With more than 22,000 of them leaving showrooms last year, it even outsold that executive favourite, the 5-Series, in the UK.
The new three-door version of the 1-Series is sure to broaden that appeal still further. No, the difference between three and five-doors isn't as pronounced as it is on the the A3, but BMW has chosen this occasion to introduce several new fuel-saving technologies that improve the 1-Series' economy and make it better to drive.
That's just as well too, as the striking-looking Volvo C30 is also now on the scene and that's before you even start to look at Volkswagen's latest supercharged and turbocharged Golf GT and performance hatchbacks which will be nibbling away at the lower-end versions of the 1-Series range.
Indeed, with a £17,785 starting price (going up to a whopping £30,270 for the 130 M-sport), there's a lot for rivals to get their teeth into. Generally speaking, the new three-door is £530 less than its equivalent five-door version except on the M Sport models (which are £495 less) and on the 116 which isn't available in three-door form.
Make no mistake however, this three-door is just the start for the revised 1-Series family which will also spawn a
convertible to be seen this summer and also a coupe version. Just as with the 3-Series, there will be a range of 1-Series styles available, which should broaden its appeal considerably.
Rest of the review