BMW 120i CAR review

It’s a 1-series with two fewer doors

Well spotted. Two years after we first got our hands on the original five-door 1-series, BMW has given us the sportier (if only psychologically) three-door. Wheelbase, length and interior space all remain the same, but this new derivative, introduced together with a facelifted five-door, should appeal to a younger market. BMW expects to shift 4000 in the UK this year, together with 19,000 of the original five-doors.

Facelift? They shouldn’t have bothered. I can’t tell the difference!

Not exactly radical, is it? The kidney grilles are slightly bigger, the bumpers are new front and back, and there have been some changes to the lamp units apparently, but unless you see old and new side by side, you’re unlikely to tell the difference. Same goes with the interior changes: they’re mostly limited to new interior colours, although BMW claims to have boosted cabin quality and reshaped the glovebox area.