BMW's second-generation 1 series will be here in the fourth quarter of 2011 - bigger, better specced and with a choice of five engines, all turbocharged.
Actually that's a bit of a cheat: 1 Series customers will choose from one petrol engine (but two levels of tune) and one diesel with three set-up options. There will also be - for the first time in this class, says the maker - the choice of an eight-speed auto transmission and, a little later, an EfficientDynamics variant with an 85kW turbodiesel that's quoted at just 99g/km of CO2.
But let's start with bigger: the new One has an extra 85mm of wheelbase, with 51mm wider front and 72mm wider rear track. The grille is tilted forward, with four contour lines on the bonnet making a V that points towards the grille. The double headlights have an accent trim across their tops for a strongly focused look and the indicator repeaters are now in the side-irror housings.
From the side, a stronger side sill treatment and an extra character line emphasise the chunkier rear wheel arches and the rear of the car underlines the extra width with wide-seat tail-light clusters and a slightly concave tailgate.
In the real world that translates to 17mm extra interior width and, more importantly, 21mm more rear legroom. Luggage space is up from 320 litres to 360 (1200 litres with the optional 40:20:40 split rear seat-back folded) and there are storage compartments, cup holders and parcel shelves all over the place.
The extra track is used for a new, double-joint, cross-strut front axle and five-link rear suspension. Electric power steering is standard, as are ESP, traction control and an electronic locking rear differential.
OK, those engines: the petrol option is a 1598cc four with a twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve lift and timing. In 116i format it delivers a quoted 100kW at 4400rpm and 220Nm at 1350-4300rpm, taking it from 0-100 in 8.5sec and on to 210km/h, at a cost of 5.5 litres/100km and 129g/km of CO2.
The 118i has the same engine, but with the boost turned up to 125kW at 4800rpm and 250Nm, available from 1500-4500 revs. 0-100 takes a claimed 7.4sec and top end is 225km/h. Fuel consumption is quoted at 5.8 litres/100km and emissions at 134g/km.
All the diesel Ones have the same, redesigned 1955cc mill, fed by a variable-geometry turbocharger and common-rail fuel supply with magnetic-valve direct injection at 1600 bar.
The 116d churns out 85kW at 4000rpm and 260Nm from 1750-2500rpm, good enough for 0-100 in a claimed 10.3sec and 200km/h flat out, burning 4.3 litres/100km and farting 114g/km of global warming.
The 118d tightens the screws to the tune of 105kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm from 1750-2500rpm. Rated performance is 0-100 in 8.9sec and 212km/h, fuel consumption is up to 4.4 litres/100km and CO2 emission to 115 g/km.
Top dog diesel is the 120d with 135kW and 380Nm (note that this is more than the 118i, making the 120d the hottest One - at launch anyway). It'll scoot to 100 in 7.2sec, says BMW, and assault the autobahn at 228km/h, while depleting the world's fossil fuel reserves at the rate of 4.5 litres/100km and warming the globe at 119g/km.
If the 120d lives up to those numbers it's going to be the pick of the litter.
Auto stop-start is standard on both auto and manual variants, as is switchable Eco Pro engine mapping.
The new 1 Series is also seriously wired: High-beam assistance, adaptive headlights, parking sensors, reversing camera, lane departure warning with collision warning and adaptive cruise control are there for the asking.
The optional i-Drive is available with internet connectivity, increased smartphone and music player integration, real-time traffic information, web radio and custom Facebook and Twitter apps.
Options include the Sport Line and Urban Line trim packages: the Sport Line includes sports seats with special trim, leather sports steering wheel with red stitching, a red keyclasp, adjustable armrests, high-gloss black interior trim and matt coral accent strips. The instruments have a special font and the ambient lighting can be switched between orange and white.
Outside, the Sport Line adds 16” star-spoke alloys, black tailpipe trim, and “BMW Sport” embossed into the door sills. The kidney bars, the central air intake trim bar, the side intake surrounds and the rear bumper trim are all gloss black.
Ther Urban Line comes with mixed fabric and leather seats, a leather sports steering wheel, adjustable armrests, and acrylic glass interior trim, available in white or black with matt oxide silver accent strips. The ambient and courtesy lights can be switched orange to blue, enhanced by an extra light source on the B pillar.
Urban Ones have 16” V-spoke alloy rims or optional 17”, high-glossy white rims with an angled surface, and white rear bumper trim, white kidney bars with chrome-plated fronts and a white trim bar for the centre air intake. The side intake surrounds are body colours, and the door sills are embossed with the BMW Urban logo.
Full leather trim and the usual BMW list of extra-cost options are there for the asking, limited only by the depth of your bank manager's indulgence. Prices, as always, when they get here.