So BMW needs a pat on the back for stepping off at the deep end into the GTI’s territory with its first front-wheel drive hot hatch – the 128ti. If the idea of a front-drive performance BMW ...

Unlike with BMW’s flagship 1 Series, the four-wheel-drive M135i, the 128ti’s engine sends power to the front wheels only – although it does retain the same eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Unfortunately, counter to its simplified mantra, BMW will not offer a manual transmission on the 128ti, instead the only option is the Aisin eight-speed torque converter as in the M135i.

As such, eyebrows were raised when BMW launched the 128ti in 2020. Not only did it offer less power than the flagship M135i – which donated its engine – but it didn’t have all-wheel drive ...

Take the low-profile BMW 128ti and its far more obvious rival, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Both kick out around 250bhp but weigh about 1.5 tonnes, so they’re quick if not necessarily that much more ...

The BMW 128ti stands out in the German marque’s lineup, providing a sporty edge but without the iconic ‘M’ badge. While the M135i boasts more power and speed, the 128ti could be the ideal ...

The BMW 128ti is a compact hatchback that combines style and performance in one neat package, much like Tom Selleck's charismatic charm. It may not pack the raw power of BMW’s M5, but it’s ...