That car with street cred

NEW 1 SERIES: FACELIFT KEEPS TO THE SLEEK PERSONALITY THE BRAND IS KNOWN FOR

BMW has given its fleet a facelift, having the reputation of style but also being that car with street cred. The facelift has kept to the sleek personality the car is known for. The most obvious change is the grille, described as a kidney grille and which has featured on BMWs for decades.

Examining the front grille could have you thinking that the car is larger than it actually is.

I had the pleasant opportunity to spend a few days testing the new 1 Series, specifically the 118i petrol automatic five-door that’s been gussied-up with the sexy M-Sport kit.

This is the first front-wheel-drive series and my test car came in the flashy eye-catching blue called the Seaside Blue metallic.

The car is supposedly the most affordable in the line but the price tag of R574 060 is a bit steep.

But if you’re a BMW fan, you’re not looking at price, you’re looking at performance and a bit of posing here and there because visually it takes you into a new LSM that gets people congratulating you for finally having “arrived”.

The badge alone is enough to make people assume you have money. Even if you’re eating canned sardines for supper to pay off your instalments.

I’ve often heard people say that the 1 Series is a small hatchback but in comparison to other hatchbacks I’ve driven, it’s larger. It’s not quite what I’d consider a family car but, then again, perfect for a small family that’s starting.

It’s definitely the ideal buy for a single person who likes to be in the car alone.

I discovered that the new 1 Series is 34mm wider; although this doesn’t seem like much but from the inside looking out, the vehicle looks and feels larger than previous models.

Being a fan of interiors, I feel that what BMW has done with the panel lights and interior is delightful. My sexy car was a cool blue shade on the outside and this theme was carried through into the interior with blue lighting that switches on when you unlock the car and when driving.

With the car having a facelift and getting the sport package, the look externally and internally is mildly aggressive – and I like it.

The three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine is great for any launch at a red traffic light ... chances are if you’re a lover of speed like me, you’ll always find yourself a few metres ahead.

Getting away quickly is part of the recipe, whether you choose the six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing because the feeling is that the car whispers like a little devil in your left ear saying “faster, faster!”

If getting that minor speed high gets your motoring running, then this is the hatchback for you.

The car has fancy technology, which helps limit any slip on the road and also helps the driver hug any curves easily. You have the choice of three driving modes – Sport, Eco and Comfort – allowing you to thoroughly enjoy the capabilities of the car.

BMW has always been generous with boot space and for a hatch-back, the 118i’s boot size is sufficient for a lockdown grocery haul. Of course, stockpiling is sort of a thing, so whatever you opt to buy in bulk will fit nicely into the boot, failing which, just drop both back seats and create more space.

The infotainment system is easy to connect to and the most entertaining part is being able to play all videos from your phone.

You can even watch your favourite series, as long as this is done when the car isn’t moving. Great for keeping kids entertained.

The dashboard is all digital and there’s so much to explore that BMW helps with informative assistance. Yes, it still can be said that Sheer Driving Pleasure “is the correct slogan...” but I wouldn’t recommend this as a family car.

Car whispers like a little devil in your left ear saying ‘faster, faster!’