BMW 1 Series 2008 review

More recently, BMWs have come in the form of fat SUVs, wedge-shaped roadsters and pimp coupes with bulbous bums, most of which are made in the US mainly for Americans.

Now comes another such device, derived from a misbegotten 2+2 whimsically presented in hatchback form made mainly for the European market.

We take a backseat to no one when it comes to deriding the 1 Series; not least because no one can fit in the backseat. Now, a derivation of the 1 Series; conceived ironically enough for the hatch-allergic Yanks; which is upon us.

Due to reach our shores in June alongside a cabrio cousin, BMW's 135i has got to have an early shot at being one of the cars of 2008.

Yep, the 1 Series is an excellent compact performance coupe, the sort of thing Bimmer have not done for for too long amid that plethora of profitable, but not so pure, products.

Indeed, the range-topping pocket rocket evokes the 1972 2002 Tii, an iconic turbo-charged compact two-door. It is the sort of car that has been among BMW's core competencies.

Packing the same 225kW/400Nm 3.0 litre, bi-turbo inline six introduced last year on the 3 Series Coupe, the more petite 135i transcends the merely competent by the width of its torque band.

The 135i's planes and creases succeed in the metal to a far greater extent than the printed image implies. The traditional BMW style cues work with a high, muscular shoulder line, flared wheel arches and the standard-fit M Sports kit including lightweight 18-inch alloys.

Markedly shorter in the wheelbase and smaller in overall dimensions than the 3 Series, it is, at 1485kg, only 50kg lighter than its big brother.

Within, it is a legitimate four-seater. A burly type can survive the rear pews comfortably with just a little consideration from those up front as they sit among one of almost 200 posited trim combinations.

The work station is generic BMW, with the perfect driving position readily obtainable, the short shifting gearstick falling readily to hand. There is 370 litres of boot, more than 800 with the split fold rear seats folded flat. Bluetooth and the now slightly less enigmatic version of the i-Drive multi-media system are among the options, as will be a six-speed Steptronic auto transmission.

When the 135i comes our way it will be launched with its drop-top equivalent and the 125i, a circa $60K model using BMW's 2.5 normally-aspirated six. But the impressive-sounding diesels are not for us.

With a claimed 0-100km/h capability of 5.3 seconds, the 135i outdoes the 3 Series in a straight line by a good few tenths. It is not the relatively affordable shrink-wrapped version of the 335i we half-expected, but a hugely gratifying car that provides rewards of its own.

Completely devoid of lag, the twin turbo unit accesses all of its towering 400Nm from an exceptionally low 1300rpm. Beautiful match with a paddle-shifted ZF auto that it is, it will pull so emphatically in sixth when open roading in the manual that you almost believe you are in fourth. Linear effortless performance is a given.

What the 135i brings to BMW's rich table that is uniquely its own is handling that befits a compact performance coupe, a species of which this is the only extant example.

The DTSC system bites hard when it judges too rash a deviation from the correct cornering line, but it can be disabled at a button's push. This locks the electronic limited slip differential, which allows a good deal more latitude and a great deal of grin-inducing adjustability. The runflat tyre/M-sports suspension set-up makes for an adroit concerning stance and a ride that might be bearable even on our roads.

Electric power steering provides feel to complement the trademark combo of rear-wheel-drive and almost 50:50 weight distribution. This coupe is decidedly more at home on a winding B-road than the track, where its still-hefty weight and tall gearing can hinder progress.

That said, where the 135i succeeds brilliantly is in its performance and handling capabilities being so readily accessible while its demeanor remains extraordinarily forgiving.

Purists might sniff that the new Bimmer is not all it could be; not as lithe nor quite so focused. That misses the point, which is that it is absolutely what BMW customers want.

And if their motor show stand reminded us that there is a BMW for most shapes and circumstances, here is one that will win both hearts and minds.