BMW'S new hot hatch is set to turn up the heat on the competition with some blistering pace and mightily impressive driver-focused performance.

The premium German marque has given the 1-Series the M Performance treatment in the latest revamp of their baby and it may as well stand for Mental - in the best possible way.

Sticking a turbocharged three-litre engine in the smallest car in the company's range was always likely to produce some sparks - and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

The M135i will rocket from 0-62mph in a supercar-bothering 4.9 seconds when equipped with the optional super-slick eight-speed automatic sports transmission (£1,600) that this car boasted while the top speed has to be electronically restricted to an eye-watering 155mph.

The 320 horse power, six-cylinder powerhouse is tuned to snort satisfyingly whenever you put the pedal to the metal and with torque peaking at 450Nm over a wide rev band - 1,300 to 4,500rpm - will take off explosively from almost any starting speed.

Squeezing this beast of an engine into the 1 Series hatchback meant coming up with a modified cooling system and the M Sport suspension and braking system are also enhanced to cope with the extra power.

The result is a motor which is an absolute hoot to drive. Handling is pin sharp, the steering is light but responsive and offers plenty of feedback, and grip is immense.

You can throw the M135i into bends at speed and accelerate out of them knowing you'll stay glued to the road.

For the really adventurous the set-up can be tweaked for even more thrills and spills by slipping into sport+ mode, one of four options available with the Drive Performance Control when the automatic gearbox is fitted - the others are eco pro, comfort and sport.

In all honesty though, you'll probably have the hairs on the back of your neck standing up even on the comfort setting.

The special body styling which marks this out as an M Sport model includes 18-inch M light alloy wheels, M Performance air blades, distinctive Ferric Gray coloured wing mirrors and chrome twin tailpipes.

The effect is, as with all M variants, subtle rather than the overtly showy styling favoured by some manufacturers for their high-performance models, but, coupled with the discreet but distinctive M Series badge, leaves you in no doubt that this is a serious piece of automotive hardware.

The M1 is not all about power and pace though and that engine is very well-behaved and refined in more sedate traffic while the taught suspension still manages to deliver a comfortable ride.

And with the same space as a regular 1-Series hatch it offers good family room and functionality.

Head and leg room is good front and rear, although getting into the back can be a bit of a trial in the three-door version I had, and the estate style boot offers an abundance of usable luggage space for the hatchback segment.

The load-carrying space also proves very versatile with the split rear seats offering extra stowage possibilities and a retaining net with hooks and runners helping to keep loose items safe.

With fuel economy of 37.7 miles per gallon on average, carbon emissions of 175g/km and a pretty steep insurance rating, owning and taxing this car won't come cheap.

Standard equipment includes aircon, Bluetooth and USB connection, ABS and stability control, front sports seats and leather upholstery and while the base price of just under £30,000 is reasonable and also includes a lot of high-performance kit, you'll have to pay extra for options such as satnav, cruise control and rear parking sensors as well as that slick automatic transmission.

In total all the options included on the car I drove, some admittedly more practical than others, totalled just under £8,000.