We already know what the all-new BMW 1-Series looks like, and drives like, as a 5-door hatch, but how about a 3-door? Well thanks to Chinese portal site sohu.com for exposing these patent/trademark designs, we now have a good idea – just in case the spy photos weren’t good enough.

Looking quite elongated, the B-pillar is pulled back and angled towards the rear, while the absence of the rear door makes it look like a borderline shooting brake. The arcing roof combined with the arcing side glass further enhances the effect.

According to a previous report, BMW will offer the 1-Series in a total of six different body variants.

The new BMW 1 Series takes over the reigns from a predecessor that made strides into the premium compact car segment to the tune of 1 million units sold between 2004 and April 2010. The original BMW 1 Series (E87) proved that buyers are willing to pay a premium for a well-built smaller car, that embodies the ethos of the brand, and that its smaller stature does not necessarily correspond to a smaller level of perceived status. And so it is, that the latest 1 Series (F20) has come of age, on the back of its driving dynamics, brand appeal and the resultant fan base.

In many ways the 2012 BMW 1 Series has entered the equivalent of its thirties. It’s been through the awkward and nervous moments as its vied for acceptance in its teenage years. Found its feet and become accepted among its peers as it lived through its twenties and made many new friends along the way. Now, as it enters its thirties, its combined everything its learnt to become a self confident entity, with a more mature demeanor, and as a result, is ready to have a more sophisticated social life and just as much fun.

Of course, once you reach your thirties, you check yourself out in the mirror and are likely to conclude that it’d be a good idea to pay your image a little more attention before stepping out from now on. BMW designers have looked after their ‘little one’ in this respect and tailored its outfit to accentuate lines in all the right places. Like a true thirty year old, the rear end has grown slightly (17 mm wider track and a 30 mm longer wheelbase), but fortunately its been dressed to flatter and is now sportier than ever – Trinny and Susannah would be proud. It’s been given a stylish new range of shoes too, a choice of 16- to 18-inch, which balance its profile quite nicely between its waist and shoulderline. Sadly, I feel BMW could have sharpened things up a little more at the front, instead of getting carried away with the botox. The puffy eyes and flared nostrils are certainly different, but I’d prefer to have seen them updated along similar lines to that of the new 3 Series.

The 1 Series can now also be accessorised in two styles, ‘Urban’ or ‘Sport’. Urban accessories include white wheels, wing mirrors and trim strips in either bumper, while the Sport option sees those features in a combination of high-gloss black and chrome.

Sit down with the 1 Series for a few minutes and you’ll find its lost none of its interior qualities and, if anything, is now a little sassier in its character. The 1 Series’ relationship with its driver is better than ever, thanks to a chunky dashboard angled in the driver’s favour. The seats are some of the best in class too, with multiple areas of adjustment together with inherently good support and cushioning. Rear legroom has increased by 21 mm, but you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference. The rear seats, however, still fold flat in a 60:40 split, so luggage space ranges between 360- and 1 200-litres. There are also plenty of areas for storing personal items, and removing the chunky manual from the cubbyhole would free-up even more.

Proving itself more youthful and trendy than ever, the 1 Series is available with BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment and ConnectedDrive systems, which, provided you have an Apple iPhone, can connect to the Internet and access your social media profiles on Twitter and Facebook. Now while this could be seen as a bit of gimmick, as the ability to send status updates and tweets is limited to a number of preset options, it is useful to keep updated on these streams of information, real-time, on an easy-to-read 6.5-inch colour display. Let’s face it, many people are checking this info on their tiny mobile phone screens while they’re driving anyway, so ConnectedDrive is far safer and convenient. In addition to providing connectivity to the Net, ConnectedDrive also includes safety features such as Lane Departure Warning with Collision Warning, as well as Speed Limit Info (a camera positioned in front of the rearview mirror scans and recognises speed limit signs) with No Passing Info.

The technology extends to the new engines too. Four-cylinder, 1.6-litre TwinPower turbocharged engines are used in the 116i and 118i, producing 100 kW and 125 kW respectively. The 120d, which will arrive later in the year, receives the 135 kW / 380 Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine found in the 320d sedan, which, despite it not being available to drive at the local launch, is likely to be the pick of the bunch in terms of performance and fun. The entry level 116i felt a little too timid for my liking, primarily because you know you’re sitting on a rear-wheel drive chassis with 50:50 weight distribution that you haven’t a hope in you-know-what of ever exploiting.

On the other hand, in combination with BMW’s EfficientDynamics measures, encapsulated by the new ‘Eco Pro’ driving mode and activated by a button next to the gear lever, BMW claim the 116i is capable of averaging 5.5 L/100km or 129 g/km of CO2. The 118i has the boost turned up a little and has far more get-up-and-go. In combination with the smooth 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, it will accelerate to 100 km/h from standstill in 7.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 222 km/h. Both engines are equipped with stop/start technology as standard.

The BMW 1 Series retains its handling characteristics, meaning a taut, but comfortable ride. The steering has positive feel and response, consistent in its action, with some kickback to keep you entertained on rougher sections of road. Although this could be interpreted as nervous handling at times, it’s a by-product of a rear-wheel drive setup, in that the steering response is heightened and more direct in lieu of its sole focus on guiding the car and not pull it along too.

With its choice of Urban or Sport specification, along with a host of interior and exterior styling options and technology, BMW has schooled its 1 Series well, with the result being a sophisticated and personable character. Although BMW say 70 percent of 1 Series sales already come from clients who’re moving from away from other brands, the new personalisation options and array of technology stand to perpetuate this trend.

Pricing includes a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan.

The BMW 1 Series hatchback has been around in 5-door guise since 2004, while the 3-door hatchback was introduced in 2005. It replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact range as BMW’s smallest and most affordable vehicle in the range (depending on the engine model) and boasts a number of unique attributes for its class. For instance, the 1 Series is the only vehicle in its class featuring rear-wheel drive, 50:50 weight balance, a longitudinally-mounted engine and an advanced aluminum multi-link suspension. It is currently one of BMW’s best-selling cars and in 2008, accounted for nearly one-fifth of the manufacturers total sales.

With credentials like these, it was with great interest that we took delivery of our first BMW test car here at SACarFan, to discover what the 1 Series, and indeed the M Sport version, is all about.

Exterior
By now a familiar face on our roads, the BMW 1 series hatchback certainly raised some eyebrows when it was launched back in 2004, ours included. Things improved with the arrival of the 3-door version, which we can’t help but think was the way the baby of the range was always supposed to look. Add the ‘M’ aerodynamic kit, however, and the look of the car is transformed from a curious looking hatchback to a compelling hot-hatch. The terribly drab front bumper from the standard model is replaced by one sporting integrated fog lights and a deep, centre aligned air dam, flanked by smaller air intakes on either side. The side skirts are bolder than those fitted to the standard 1 series and feature a bulge that draws one’s eye from the front to the rear of the car. The rear bumper receives a dramatic design change, with an inset dark grey diffuser-like section rounding off the more sporty look, along with chromed twin-tailpipes. Double-spoke ‘M’ 17-inch alloy wheels, shod in 205/50 profile rubber up front and 225/45 at the rear, fill the wheel arches courtesy of the M Sport suspension, which gives the 120i M Sport a 15 mm lower  ride height over the standard model and helps to complete the polished M Sport look.

Interior
The sharply defined angles of the outside are continued on the inside of the 120i M Sport and are complimented by softer curves, such as the door handles. The result is a modern, minimalistic and simple cabin that achieves a stylish synergy. As expected, a comfortable driving position is quickly attainable by adjusting the seat and steering wheel to your desired settings. The driving position of the BMW 1 Series is inherently low to begin with and raising the seat height may result in taller drivers looking through the top of the windscreen. Having said this, you only really notice the low slung driving position when climbing in and out of the car, once you’re inside it’s a comfortable ride. The leather covered sports seats may have a lot to do with the comfort factor, as they provide good all round support whether sitting in traffic or relishing your favourite corners. With the majority of head and legroom up front, the 3-door 1-Series does not welcome rear passengers. In fact, passengers up front commented that the legroom was potentially too generous as they had no floor board to push against to support themselves. Standard interior specifications are as you’d expect from a BMW and include air-conditioning, stereo jack for auxiliary music devices, radio/CD player, driver and passenger front and side airbags, as well as head (curtain) airbags for both front and rear passengers. Apart from the seats, the M Sport package enhances the interior with aluminium trim on the dashboard and door inlays; leather covered, multifunction sports steering wheel; leather covered hand brake and gearshift lever gaiter; as well as anthracite coloured roof lining. The interior, and indeed the whole car, gives one the over-riding impression of impeccable build quality. From the tactile interior elements, to the solid thud of the doors, the BMW 1 Series M Sport feels built to last.

The Drive
With its low-slung driving position, the BMW 1-series hatch immediately feels sporty before even turning the key. The chunky, three-spoke, sports steering wheel provides accurate steering and adequate feedback from the road. The leather clad gearshift lever fits snugly in your hand and with short throws between the gates, provides a sporty, precise and rewarding shift through the 6-speed gearbox, urging you to change at every opportunity.  Once on the move the 120i M Sport certainly grabs the attention of other road users, who no doubt expect to see a 130i badge on the boot. The engine note from the twin-exhausts is one of the best of any in-line four available and when you point the tacho needle skyward the BMW 120i M Sport responds willingly. The road-holding provided by the 17-inch wheels, with run-flat tyres as standard, and sports suspension is very good – the chassis is firm, offering positive feel and a comfortable ride – as a result the rear-wheel drive 120i M navigates corners with enthusiasm.

Performance
The M Sport package does not include performance enhancements for the 2,0-litre engine found in the 120i M. This means power output remains unchanged from that of the standard model, with 115 kW of peak power available at 6 400 rpm and maximum torque of 200 N.m at 3 600 rpm. The 120i M feels slightly underpowered compared to what one may expect, although this expectation is created from the sporty elements of the M Sport package rather than the abilities of the 1995 cc naturally aspirated engine, whose output figures are among the highest in its class. Stirring the gearbox, as its sporty nature urges you to do, will have the 120i M running along at a respectable pace, regardless of the uphill and down-dale nature of our roads. The naturally aspirated engine revs willingly and sings the more you wind it up. The bottom line is that the 120i M Sport is not a particularly fast car and the ‘M Sport’ package is more about the look and feel, rather than outright pace. But that’s okay, because between the sweet shifting gearbox, throaty roar from the engine, sports seats and steering wheel, balanced chassis and excellent road-holding, the BMW 120i M Sport put a smile on our face every time we drove it.

What we like…

• Superb build quality.
• Much improved looks over those of the standard model.
• A sports package that delivers equal to its value.

What we would like…

• A touch more power to exploit the rear-wheel drive chassis – it’s a big jump in price and power to the 130i model.
• In an ideal world – a sacrifice of some front legroom in exchange for more in the rear.