ONE TO WATCH(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 62

BMW's fourth generation F70-era 1 Series line-up is topped by this potent M135 xDrive hot hatch model. There's a sharper exterior look and a redesigned front-of-cabin experience, but otherwise, things are much as with the previous F40-series version of this model. Which means around 300hp, all-wheel drive and a more mature drive experience than old-school rear-driven 1 Series hot hatches served up.

Background word count: 130

Once upon a time, a BMW 1 Series hot hatch was a rather unique hot hatch confection, rear driven with a howling straight six engine - a car for the hot hatch cognoscenti. The sort of model a race track instructor would use as his day-to-day drive. But then in 2019 with the introduction of the mainly front-driven F40 version of this car, everything changed. Out went rear wheel drive; in came xDrive AWD and a four cylinder 2.0-litre powerplant for what was then called the 'M135i xDrive'. The replacement F70-era version of this car retains that mechanical set-up, but loses the 'i' from its name (that letter now used to designate BMW's EVs). More importantly, it gains a sharper look and redesigned screen tech. Let's take a closer look.