BMW Coupe is the '1'

	Engineers have achieved perfect 50:50 weight distribution to give the Coupé the ideal handling balance to go with its cutting-edge powerplants

The latest addition to the family will go on sale alongside the existing three and five-door, and soon be joined by a convertible, too. With compact dimensions and a snub rear end, the newcomer is the model BMW fans have been waiting for – and it will be powered by two of the German company’s most advanced new engines.

At the front, the Coupé is pure 1-Series. The low front airdam has a new and curvy form, while the sharp lines of the BMW’s profile remain. But it’s at the rear that the designers have made the most significant modifications to accommodate the car’s shape.

Unlike the two-door 3-Series, the cheaper newcomer has more conventional styling. The tail-lights are different from any other 1-Series variant, while the bootlid incorporates a discreet spoiler.

Inside, the two-door shares its cabin design with other versions, but space for passengers in the rear seats will be fairly tight. With its front-engined, rear-wheel-drive set-up, the BMW’s aim will be to tempt keen drivers.

Engineers have achieved perfect 50:50 weight distribution to give the Coupé the ideal handling balance to go with its cutting-edge powerplants. Pick of the range for buyers wanting the ultimate blend of performance and economy is a fresh twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. Available in the 123d Coupé, the engine provides 201bhp, and is the first all-aluminium diesel in the world to produce more than 100bhp per litre.

With 400Nm of torque, the oil-burner propels the car from 0-62mph in only 7.0 seconds, and on to a top speed of 148mph. CO2 emissions of 138g/km and combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg are equally impressive, due in no small part to BMW’s Stop-Start technology.

The 175bhp 120d offers a cheaper alternative, while buyers wanting the best performance in the range should choose the 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo model. Sitting at the top of the Coupé line-up, the 135i sprints from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and has a maximum speed limited to 155mph. Its powerplant provides 400Nm peak torque from only 1,300rpm.

However, the question on the lips of all BMW fans is will there be an M1? There are currently no plans for an M Sport version – partly because the badge was used on BMW’s classic supercar – but bosses will reconsider if there is sufficient demand.

Initially, the range will comprise the 120d, 123d and 135i Coupé, with ES, SE and M Sport trims. Following its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the newcomer goes on sale in the UK in November.

Prices have yet to be announced, but expect the basic 120d model to weigh in at around £21,000, and the range-topping 135i two-door to cost slightly below £30,000.