It's extravagant, expensive and thirsty but you still can't help falling for the new BMW 1 Series Coupé. What a car, this new model changes your views on the 1 Series for good. Michael Moroney reports on how the 1 Series has been redeemed with new coupé styling.

Driving the new BMW 1 Series Coupé last week was a pure joy tinged with a hint of guilt. The joy was heightened by the fact that I had the top of the range 135i version at my disposal. The guilt trip comes from the expense and the fuel economy figures. Ah, what odds - what a car!

The new BMW 135i is the power topper in the new 1 Series Coupé range. This is a superb car to drive, huge on styling and power, but expensive at €60,250 before delivery charges.

Let's be honest about it, the BMW 135i is no tractor not like the Massey Ferguson 135 tractor that I grew up with.

This car comes with a powerful 3.0 litre car that sweeps the boards when it comes to performance and style.

It was the coupé styling that really blew me and many others away. The shape is superb and does so much for the BMW 1 Series which in standard hatchback form does nothing for me aesthetically.

Everywhere that I drove there were comments on the styling that echoed my own. The new shape is so special that BMW will probably be slow to change it. The car now sets itself apart and the BMW badge on the front adds to this distinctive appeal.

There are other reasons why I get so excited about this car. It's a feast of new engineering technology. The engine for the BMW 135i is the most powerful in the range. BMW uses a 3.0 litre petrol engine with twin turbo's to deliver a massive 306bhp from the car.

This is a light alloy and magnesium straight-six cylinder engine. The engine performance makes this car capable of accelerating from zero to 100km/hr in just 5.3 seconds before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/hr (155mph), on the race track of course!

And even though its petrol powered it has high torque which pushes this acceleration. The peak torque from the BMW 135i is 400Nm and that's available from just 1,300rpm through to 5,000rpm to deliver smooth yet rapid progress and in-gear flexibility.

BMW claims that the new High Precision Direct Injection system used in the engine gives the most efficient burn of fuel mix. When this is combined with Bi-VANOS variable valve technology and a lightweight vehicle structure it means that the BMW 135i is capable of maintaining its top end performance. The 2,979cc engine is claimed to give an economy figure of 9.5 litres/100km (30.7mpg) figure on the combined cycle. I found this a little difficult to achieve.

The 135i is a shade thirsty for its size and its CO2 emissions figure is given at 220g/km. That puts it into Band F in the new VRT rating system from July, which will mean that a price increase is on the way. And that's on top of its already expensive tag of €60,250 before delivery charges. BMW claims that it has managed the CO2 output well from the car with a 3.0 litre petrol engine and so it has. It uses the new BMW EfficientDynamics programme seeks to boost engine performance while at the same time cut fuel consumption and emissions. The car uses the second generation High Precision Direct Injection and Brake Energy Regeneration, plus low rolling resistance tyres as strategies to control fuel use and CO2 emission in the 135i Coupé.

This new coupé has 50:50 weight distribution and a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration that BMW claim is the best in driving dynamics. The car comes with a double-joint spring strut front axle system with a five-link rear suspension. This has been finely tuned to give a great driving experience from the car.