Slotting into the 1 Series Range between the entry-level 116i and the zesty 120i, BMW's 118i shares more of its bigger brother's DNA, the engine being a detuned version of the two-litre Valvetronic powerplant. It could well prove the pick of the petrol-engined line-up, especially in light of the latest modifications.

Unlike the 170bhp 120i, the 118i has to make do with 143bhp, although this is still a reasonable amount of go. The 190Nm of torque isn't much down on the 120i and on the road there won't be much to choose between the two models both of which now utilise BMW's High Precision Direct Injection technology. Whereas the 120i will make 60mph from rest in 7.7 seconds and accelerate to a top speed of 139mph, the 118i isn't too far behind, notching a 8.7 second sprint and a terminal velocity of 130mph. The fuel economy figure of 47.9mpg is a little better than the more powerful car although it's doubtful if too many decisions are swung by this factor. Most will just want the best 1 Series they can afford.

It'll help to keep an eye on the options lists here. BMW quote an on-the road price of £17,785 for the 118i three door, with the five-door car coming in around £500 more, but only the most craven badge snobs will pay this. Most sensible buyers will add air-conditioning, alloy wheels, metallic paint and body-coloured door handles which will add another £2,000 onto that asking figure. Somewhat coincidentally, this is virtually the price of the better equipped SE trim level, leading us to believe that BMW is merely using the base model as an eye-catching price tag knowing that virtually all customers will be spending at least £19,735 or so on a 118i.

"The 118i could well prove the pick of the petrol-engined models"

The SE models feature climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps. Try to resist the temptation to upgrade to the 17-inch alloys. Although the car does look a bit beefier with the bigger wheels, the rigid sidewalls of the run-flat tyres don't do a great deal for ride comfort. Buyers who can't stretch to the SE can try the ES which yields more equipment than the standard model for a premium of under £1,000. At the top of the Range, meanwhile, sits the M Sport model with its lower spoilers and sills, bigger alloy wheels and firm M Sports suspension. Choose the badge delete option on your 118i M Sport and passers-by will be hard pushed to tell it's not a 130i.

If you wanted a car that demonstrated how relevant rear wheel drive is to cars with modest power, you couldn't choose better than a 1 Series. Put simply, the front tyres are utterly unburdened with trying to put power down and can devote themselves to steering. It may sound simple but it works. There's no scrabble, tug or kickback through the steering wheel. At first, you may not be able to quite put your finger on why the 1-Series feels so much better to drive than, say, an equivalently priced Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3 but punt one down a twisty road and it'll become apparent. What more powerful rivals gain on the straights the BMW claws back through the bends.

Designed to compete in the prestigious part of the Family Hatchback sector, the 1-series might be truncated in length but spend any time behind the wheel and you'll soon realise you're not being shortchanged any of BMW's look and feel. Rear wheel drive has traditionally been something of an anomaly in this market sector and key rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf, the Alfa Romeo 147 and the Audi A3 are built around front wheel drive platforms. Where front wheel drive has traditionally scored is that it's easy and cheap to manufacture a transverse engined hatch with a front gearbox and drive going to the front wheels. You needn't worry about a bulky transmission tunnel running through the cabin so it works in terms of packaging too. BMW think otherwise.

Open one of the narrow back doors on the five-door car and you'll spot the compromises made. There's less room in the back of the 1-series than you'll find in a supermini like a Honda Jazz. With a six-footer behind the wheel, legroom is shockingly bad and the transmission tunnel means that you won't ever want to travel piggy in the middle on the rear bench. That's not what the 1-series is all about. If you want a practical car, go and buy a mini-MPV. If you want the latest urban bauble that will turn heads and get tongues wagging, the 1-series will be more your thing. At a stroke it manages to make the Audi A3 in particular look ridiculously staid.

The 1 Series now features a larger kidney grille for improved airflow to the engine. The lower front spoiler has also been reprofiled to create a larger air intake, while the spoiler protrudes further for a more pronounced, sporting look. The headlamp cluster remains the same size but a darker cover gives a subtle, more distinguished front end. At the rear a restyled bumper gives the impression of a wider, lower car. The rear lamp cluster now features a new arRangement of lights, but retains its original shape.

There's a lot to like about BMW's 118i. Although it's not the most obviously appealing model in the line up, it offers a decent blend of performance and economy and although the price shouts premium, it looks like a commensurately well-built product. Residual values will doubtless depend on quite how commonplace the 1 Series becomes on our roads but early indicators look good. One to watch if you want something a cut above the mainstream.

TOP 5 1 SERIES DEALS

The results below show the top 1 SERIES deals on buyacar

	BMW 1 Series 118d 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £747	Price £17,598
	BMW 1 Series 118d 3dr Step Auto Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £879	Price £19,011
	BMW 1 Series 118i 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £758	Price £17,802
	BMW 1 Series 118i 5dr Step Auto Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £891	Price £19,129
	BMW 1 Series 118d 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £795	Price £18,080