Among BMW's Frankfurt offerings this year is the 1-Series model they should have built first. A small, "affordable" addition to the hatchback model range, the coupé aims to offer something more driver-focused.
It will also quell some of the complaints from 5-Series and 7-Series owners that they shouldn't share their premium badge with a hatchback.
While it may bear some visual similarities to the hatchback model, BMW says that this new addition has been re-engineered from the ground up.
Three engines, two transmissions and three specification levels will be available in the rear-wheel-drive, 2+2 seat coupé. The entry-level model will be the 120d, with 177bhp and 350Nm of torque and is capable of a 0-100km/h time of 7.6 seconds, yet will return fuel economy figures of 4.7 l/100km and a mere 128g/km of CO2.
Next up is the 123d Coupé, a new powertrain that, according to BMW, becomes the most powerful production four-cylinder diesel in the world. With low CO2 emissions of 138g/km, the 204bhp four-cylinder is the world's first aluminium diesel engine to have an output of more than 100bhp per litre. It uses twin-turbo technology to manage a peak torque figure of 400Nm from just 2,000rpm.
The performance figures are equally impressive: 0-100km/h takes just seven seconds and it is capable of a top speed of 238km/h. Like the 120d, the 123d comes with fuel-saving auto start-stop technology, brake energy regeneration, a diesel particulate filter, electric power steering and low rolling resistance tyres. At the top of the range is the 135i, which employs a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine. Offering 306bhp and 400Nm of torque, the 135i is capable of a 0-100km/h time of just 5.3 seconds and is limited to 250km/h.
The longer coupé body means the car gains 20-litres of boot space over the hatchback, rising to 370-litres. For many BMW fans, this is a spiritual successor to the E30 3-Series coupé, which ceased production in the late 1990s to make way for the larger E36 model. Prices have yet to be revealed but we can expect a starting price tag of somewhere in the region of €45,000 when the car arrives in late November.