Deriding the styling of a new BMW is a dangerous game. Since design boss Chris Bangle took over, the Munich firm has repeatedly surprised us with the bizarre looks of its new models, yet critics – ourselves included – have often found themselves back-pedalling once familiarity has mellowed the dramatic lines.
The 1-series may well be viewed in the same way. The One is unusual in the hatchback class for its cab-rear silhouette, the result of a mechanical package allowing a much shorter front overhang than is typical.
Combine this with the sharp creases in its flanks, the long bonnet and trademark BMW face, and you have a car readily identifiable from every angle bar the rear.
That swept-back shape hints at what’s beneath. After the work it put into developing the all-new front-wheel-drive Mini, you might expect BMW to use front-drive, but its brand philosophy is wedded to rear-drive and the handling balance this configuration can provide.
But it takes more than powering the back axle to achieve this. The secret of the 1-series’s allegedly ideal 50:50 weight distribution is the location of its engine, which sits well behind the front axle line – another reason for the cab-rear proportions.
In 2004, rear-wheel drive is a unique approach in this class – even resolutely rear-drive Mercedes opted for a front-drive A-class.
So the 1-series’s mechanical confection is traditional BMW. Power comes from 115bhp 1.6- and 150bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines, along with a pair of 2.0-litre diesels: a 163bhp 120d and the detuned 122bhp 118d tested here.
Like the latest iterations of the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, the 1-series features multi-link rear suspension; in the BMW’s case the five links are formed from lightweight steel. Further weight saving is achieved up front through aluminium MacPherson struts.
