With the entry-level, non-electrified 116 not coming to the UK, the 120 pushed right here is the bottom mannequin.
Constructed round a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, its most output is considerably up on the 134bhp provided by the earlier era’s 118i mannequin, which shaped the place to begin of the line-up.
It’s a great addition and helps the 1 Sequence maintain tempo with its rivals: its 0-62mph time of seven.8secs is simply over a second faster than the 118i, though it nonetheless lacks the punch of the not-UK-bound 120d diesel.
It isn’t probably the most characterful unit, though due to its electrical increase, it’s decently responsive and provides the 120 loads sufficient energy for many use instances.
It has first rate pick-up at decrease speeds, whereas additionally retaining composure at motorway speeds, and it’s pleasantly quiet as effectively.
In case you stick it in Sport mode and play with the throttle, you’ll get extra sound and response from it, however this engine is at its greatest when doing the kind of quiet, unassuming driving that almost all household hatch purchaser will stand up to.
We must drive it again to again with an A3 or A-Class, however the 1 Sequence can definitely maintain its personal.
Step as much as the M135 and the additional energy is clear. And whereas there could be a slight discount in outright energy from the earlier era (placing it barely behind each the Mercedes-AMG A35 and Volkswagen Golf R), you’ll be exhausting pressed to note that ‘lacking’ 6bhp: it can nonetheless full the 0-62mph dash in 4.9sec and there’s a lovely sizzling hatch ferocity to it.
That’s partly as a result of the height torque output of 295lb ft may be accessed from simply 2000rpm, giving loads of fulfilling accelerative thrust.
In case you use the throttle exhausting, the auto gearbox does a superb job of holding gears longer to use that torque, or you should utilize the chunky steering wheel-mounted paddles for much more management.
The limited-slip differential on the entrance axle and the four-wheel drive system (which runs in front-wheel-drive mode more often than not however can ship as much as half the facility by way of the rear axle) signifies that the M135 presents distinctive traction as effectively, even on damp roads.
At larger masses, the engine does sound a contact artificial, whereas in unstressed driving it does a superb job of being positively benign.