New BMW 318i review - pictures

We've already tried the facelifted BMW 3 Series in popular 320d M Sport guise, as well as the 335d Touring, but the biggest changes come in the revised 318i. 

It's now powered by the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that's also found in the MINI Cooper and 2 Series. It produces 134bhp and 220Nm of torque.

Inside, the 3 Series is largely unchanged aside from a few trim tweaks. 

Sat-nav is standard across the BMW range now.

The slick six-speed gearbox needs to be worked quite a bit to maintain progress when compared with the refined and powerful diesel engines.

Rear seat space is good. 

Boot is a good size with a useable, square shape.

Despite only having three cylinders, the 318i is remarkably smooth and surprisingly quiet.

BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds, but you need to work it hard to do this.

There have been few design cues on the exterior of the car with the facelift.

Tweaked LED daytime running lights now featured squared off edge.

Rear LED lights are now in line with the rest of the BMW range, such as the recently updated 1 Series hatch. 

CO2 emissions stand at 129g/km and BMW claims the car will return 51.4mpg, but over 1,200 miles with the car we rarely saw more than 39mpg.