The new coupé is based on the underwhelming BMW 1 Series and will feature a Twin Turbo petrol engine and rear-wheel drive.

Conceived as a 2+2-seater with a separate luggage compartment and with the rear-seat backrest offering a 60:40 split.

Arriving in Australia in the form of the BMW 135i Coupé, the new model will battle for sales against the heavyweights in small performance cars, the new Audi S3, the upcoming wonder car, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, and the mighty smooth Volkswagen Golf R32.

Recognisable from outside through the slightly modified M Aerodynamics Package, the BMW 135i Coupé is powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six featuring Twin Turbo technology, all-aluminium crankcase and second-generation direct petrol injection featuring High Precision Injection technology.

The output of 225 kW from 2,979 cc, will accelerate the BMW 135i Coupé to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, giving Lancer Evo drivers enough time for a good laugh when the new little BMW catches up.

The torque of 400 Nm is maintained consistently throughout a broad range of engine speeds from 1,300–5,000 rpm.

Average fuel consumption, according to the EU standard, is 9.2 litres/100 kilometres.

With the introduction of the BMW 1 Series in 2004, BMW entered the compact segment to compete against cars such as the Alfa Romeo 147, Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and its own Mini Cooper. Today, though, in this class of car, the Volkswagen Golf GTI holds the 'Top of the Class' rating by an very big margin according to our Editor, Stephen Walker.

Highlights of the new BMW 1 Series Coupé include an unmistakable coupé design, with the 'greenhouse' moved far to the rear and offering a light look, short front overhang, long bonnet, long wheelbase, large and frameless doors.

The silhouette of the new BMW 1 Series Coupé is further characterised by the distinctive shoulder line beneath the windows, strongly contoured side-sills and flared wheel arches. The “Hofmeister kick” typical of all BMWs also stands out as a design element.

The front end look of the new Coupé is typical BMW thanks to the design of the kidney grille with its accentuated chrome frame and headlights.

Inside, the new BMW 1 Series Coupé is characterised by trim and upholstery with a wide choice of colours and materials, including the new body colour Sedona Red, which is exclusive to the new BMW 1 Series Coupé.

To give the car a unique look, the BMW 135i Coupé comes as standard with a modified, aerodynamically optimised M Aerodynamics Package. With its extra-large central air intake, the front air dam highlights the 'character' of the car. The two air intakes at the side are split horizontally by a centre bar and border on slightly contoured flaps.

The contoured side-sills on the BMW 135i Coupé accentuate the wedge shape of the car. The rear air dam of the BMW 135i Coupé, incorporates an anthracite-coloured insert at the bottom and is wrapped around the wheels, emphasising the car’s wide track. An additional small spoiler lip referred to in motorsport as a “gurney” serves to optimise the car’s aerodynamics. The tailpipes are finished in dark chrome.

The new BMW 1 Series Coupé transmits the power of the engine to the road via the rear wheels.

The BMW 135i Coupé features 18-inch light-alloy wheels and comes standard with M Sports Suspension and a brake system incorporating six-piston fixed callipers on the front axle and two-piston fixed callipers at the rear.

The new BMW 1 Series Coupé benefits from a wide range of safety features as standard, including six airbags, crash-optimised front seat backrests and headrestraints reducing the risk of injury in a rear-end collision.