BMW 1-Series news - 1 for the road- 2007

Summer's here - sort of - and it's coupe-season in Bavaria.

No sooner had BMW put the finishing touches to the soon-to-be-unleashed M3 than the boys in Bangle's design department turned their attention to transforming their little 1-Series into something a bit sleeker.

So this is the 1-Series Coupe. And it looks, well, exactly as we imagined it to be. We've never quite been convinced by the 1's mix of slabby sides and odd angles, but had hoped the coupe might sense of it all. But no.

Styling aside, though, things get more interesting. As in three-hundred horsepower interesting. Although the 1-Series Coupe will be launched with the option of two diesel engines - the 120d and 123d - it's the 135i that we're getting excited about.

With a twin-turbo version of BMW's three-litre straight-six, the 135i puts out 306bhp and 295lb ft of torque from a lowly 1,300rpm.

Which means plenty of shove, a 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. In other words, the 135i will be seriously quick.

It should be able to handle the pace, too. The driven rear wheels are bolted to a five-link suspension set-up, and you even spec your 135i in M-Sport trim for a firmer ride. But take heed, drift monkeys - there's no diff.

All good then? Very nearly. The only black mark against the 1-Series Coupe is that BMW has officially rubbished any suggestion of an M version.

Apparently it doesn't make financial sense: a M1 would cost close to 40 grand - too much for such a small car.

We say forget financial sense, BMW. We like the idea of the 135i but reckon there's a real opportunity for a lightweight special to rival the iconic E30 M3 - and make the M1 the best-handling car in history.