Exterior

With standard visual cues that come only with the 128i's optional M Sport Package, the 135i has an aggressive front bumper with three large air inlets. Xenon headlights are standard, and they carry a white bordering up top for 2012, mirroring the headlight treatment across most other BMWs. These lights include a string of LEDs embedded in the caps, a visual cue used in the automaker's redesigned 6 Series.

Rather than the 3 Series convertible's folding metal hardtop, the 135i convertible has a fabric soft-top that can open or close in 22 seconds, BMW says. It operates at speeds up to 25 mph.

The 1 Series remains a small car overall, about 2 inches shorter and narrower than a Scion tC. The popular 3 Series coupe, in comparison, measures about 10 inches longer.

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    At a glance
    At a glance 1 Air toward the windshield and side windows 2 Air for the upper body 3 Air to footwell 4 Automatic climate control with 2-zone control Automatic climate control with 4-zone control ...

    Easy entry/exit
    To facilitate entry and exit, the steering wheel temporarily moves into the uppermost position ...

    More space, wide variety of storage compartments, even greater practicality
    The car's larger dimensions (length + 93 mm, wheelbase + 50 mm) mean that rear passengers can now enjoy extra legroom. Behind the fully contoured front seats, 15 millimetres of additional knee roo ...