BMW has announced the prices and specifications of its important new entry level 1-Series models, which go on sale here in September.
They will cost from £15,690 for the basic 1.6-litre petrol model, rising to £18,320 for the two-litre version, £17,340 for the 1.8-litre diesel, and up to £20,700 for the two-litre diesel with Sport trim.
When the newcomers finally go on sale they will be the only models in their class with rear wheel drive, in time-honoured BMW tradition.
For those looking to buy on finance, a deposit of £2,762 and monthly payments of £230 will secure the basic 116i. After 35 months, however, the driver will have to either pay a final payment or hand the vehicle back.
There will be three different trim models with the Base variant fitted with remote central locking, six airbags and Dynamic Stability Control combined with Dynamic Traction Control as standard.
Run-flat tyres, front electric windows, engine starter button, adjustable steering column and passenger seat height adjustment, and a CD player also feature.
The SE boasts automatic air-conditioning, leather-clad multi-function steering wheel and rear park distance control.
Sport is the final model offered, with 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, sports steering wheel, front fog lights and Black Gomera trim.
A six-speed automatic gearbox is offered on 120i and 120d models.
The entry-level 116i has a 115bhp engine giving the car acceleration to 60mph in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph, with 38mpg economy.
The other petrol engine is a two-litre four-cylinder unit in the 120i with 150bhp. This car has a 0-60mph time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 135mph and, like the two diesel-powered models, comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
The 120d is powered by a 163bhp two-litre common-rail diesel engine, with 50mpg economy and a 0-60mph acceleration time of eight seconds, and a 137mph top speed.
The 118d uses a 122bhp two-litre engine, with average economy of 50.4mpg, a 0-60mph time of ten seconds, and a top speed of 125mph.