BMW's Angry (Bird) M135i Hot Hatch

There is one thing that the latest 1 Series will split opinion on. Let's get that straight first. Just like the last "1", the looks are controversial as you'll either love them or hate them and personally, I'm not a fan as the front end reminds me of a certain baddie from a very popular mobile app. Do you see the resemblance?

Not so long ago, BMW created their first baby M car using a beefed up 1 Series coupe, E92 M3 wing mirrors, brakes and suspension, and a turbocharged straight six engine from the Z4 roadster. It was such a hit that our Ollie crowned it his car of the year in 2011. Sadly, it was only available in limited numbers and all of the UK editions are now sold out.

Fret not Bimmer fans, as the mini monster is back. It's now called the M135i and it's the second car to join M's new line up, with the first being that crazy 5 series tri-turbo diesel estate, the M550d xDrive.

As it's name will suggest to BMW eggheads, the M135i has a petrol engine. Specifically, it's the same twin-turbo 3 litre straight six engine used in the 640i coupe with 316bhp and 332lb ft of torque sent to the rear wheels giving it a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 4.9 seconds with the 8-speed ZF auto 'box. As with most new hot Germans these days, it has a limited top speed of 155mph. That makes it less powerful than the 335bhp 1M Coupe but the M135i is lighter which means it has a power-to-weight ratio of 222bhp per tonne.

To make sure friends, enemies and neighbours know your 1 Series is far from ordinary, discreet tweaks on the outside include larger air intakes on a lower front bumper, a bigger spoiler, chrome tailpipes and reworked bumper at the back and more muscular sills down the sides. It even comes with bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.

Under the skin, the electro-magnetic steering system has been tuned to make it even sharper than it already is plus the brakes have been upgraded and they are painted blue, just like on the M5.

The M135i is more practical than it's predecessor as it will be available in a 3-door hatchback form from launch in September, with a 5-door being available from November. Prices will start at £29,995 which actually makes it slightly cheaper than a VW Scirocco R and much cheaper than the limited edition Audi RS3. It is of course more expensive than rivals with not-so-fancy badges such as the forthcoming Vauxhall Astra VXR and the Renaultsport Megane 265. However, if you still can't decide which hot hatch you want, it might be worth waiting to see what AMG do to the new Mercedes A Class as it is rumoured to have 350bhp delivered through 4-wheels.