AS THE spectre of front-wheel drive looms in its future, the long-lived BMW 1 Series range revels in the fact that it’s essentially the only player in the game that offers a front-engined, rear-drive combination in such a small form factor.

The second-generation car has been around in largely the same form since 2011, and its finest form – in five-door F20 guise, at least – is the M140i.

Powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six and sending 250kW and 500Nm to the rear wheels, it’s unlike anything else in the premium light car space.

With a solid price drop and a minor makeover for 2018, BMW is unabashedly targeting punters who are shopping for a non-premium branded sportscar with around sixty grand in their pockets.