The "1" to be seen in

This is more than just the priciest small hatch range available - it's a whole lot more.

It teems with state-of-the art technology, offers an entirely refreshing slant on supermini driving enjoyment by having rear-wheel drive and has the build and interior quality that fledgling executives will willingly top-up car allowances for.

And with its stablemate, the MINI, flooding the market and in danger of descending into "yesterday's hero" territory, the BMW is now the "1" to be seen in.

As supermini designs go, the 1 Series (pictured) is well off the beaten track. Not for BMW - the tall, squat, wheel-in-the-corners look. The firm has instead favoured a sleeker, racier look that should stand the test of time, even if it can initially look a little too unusual for some tastes.

In fact, there's that feeling you've seen it all somewhere before. BMW puts that down to having hints of its Z4 roadster, but, taking in the side-on view, it flashed thoughts of a '70s sportster to mind - the Reliant Scimitar GTE, of circa 1971-72 vintage. Remember the sports car the Princess Royal used to drive? That's the one.

Perhaps the BMW's rakish, bonnet-heavy stance, plus that abrupt rump, sparked the comparison; it can't have been the cabin - the Scimitar was two-door only.

But that "sport" feeling is precisely what BMW wanted to achieve in this five-door hatchback. Behind the wheel it delivers a distinct coup sensation, due in no small part to the 50-50 weight distribution, and the drive is as predictable and exhilarating as was once found in that old rear-drive icon, the Ford Capri.

Lowered suspension can be specified to boost the car's agility, but the standard fitment of run-flat tyres has added extra weight to the power steering at town speeds. Still, you get the dual benefits of added safety and improved arm muscles.

With ride and handling part of the attraction, it needs only the right engine choice to move your motoring up a notch. Certainly, the test car's 1.6 litre unit isn't it.

While output is perky, at 115bhp it isn't punchy, and it struggles to power out of tight corners, making it only really suited to city-centre driving.

The 1596cc engine's torque peak is at a high 4,300rpm and the five-speed manual transmission needs regular attention. Top speed is 124mph, with the nought-to-62mph time at 10.8 seconds. Fuel consumption is 37.7mpg on the combined cycle.

A better petrol choice might be the 118i. This 1.8 litre unit shares the same gearbox, but power output stands at 129bhp, although it is only marginally faster, and a fraction more economical. The third petrol variant is a 135mph flyer of two-litre size, and there are two diesels - a 1.8 litre, 135mph, 50.4mpg star, and a two-litre, 137mph, 49.6mpg superstar. The largest petrol pack and the diesels all use a six-speed manual transmission.

The 1 Series is billed as a five-seater, but rear-drive means the centre tunnel leaves any mid-seat occupant at the back playing footsie with adjacent passengers, so let's put the fitting of three rear seat belts down to over-enthusiasm and more fairly call the car a four-seater.

The boot's a good size, hatch door access decent, and, generally, cabin equipment is excellent, with everything to hand and so easy to use.

BMW falls in line with other German marques in believing that a dull interior is a classy one. A little more flair wouldn't go amiss and would elevate the cabins from morgue status.

The tested 116i SE sells for £17,640, and 1 Series prices go right up to £20,800 - pricey, yes, but packed with safety (six airbags, lots of electronic braking/traction assistance) and bulging with kit. The only thing missing, really, was rear electric windows - you get those with bigger-engined versions.

BMW also offers lots of extras to let you further improve on the one-upmanship.

For more information, call Woods BMW on 01256 703703.