Say G'day To New 1-Series

Seen here as its sparkling silver paintwork gleams in the Aussie sunlight, the new baby of the Munich line-up is clearly part of the latest school of BMW design. Industry insiders are predicting that the car will be a sure-fire hit among premium hatchback buyers; the distinctive headlamps and trademark grille mean the 1 is instantly recognisable as a BMW. The strong shoulder line and deep side skirts only add to the muscular stance. As with every other road-going model in the blue propellor range, the 1-Series will feature a rear-wheel-drive chassis set up to provide a sporty on-the-road experience.

Initially, the newcomer will take its power from a choice of 125bhp 1.8 or 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines, plus 115bhp or 150bhp 2.0-litre diesels. A 250bhp 2.4-litre M1 flagship will join the line-up in 2005. Most models will come with a six-speed manual gearbox, while flagship versions will get an SMG-style semi-automatic system.

Although the car will be available in continental Europe for the equivalent of around ΂£12,000, in this country the 1-Series will be marketed as a premium hatch to rival the Audi A3. That means buyers can expect entry-level variants to be priced from around ΂£15,250.