Here is the glory that has not been disguised. The front-wheel drive 261bhp BMW 128ti called it “more laughing at the toes and games than the locked-down super-serious M135i.” Yeah – I did this the wrong way by trying a (very) lightly disguised, basically finished prototype a month before BMW’s big announcement.

Therefore, the heading is: It is the same 2.0 liter engine as the M135i, but with lower output. The same 8-speed auto is the same, but there is no more all-wheel drive. This isn’t just the less powerful front-wheel drive M135i. This is because BMW has completely redesigned the rear suspension, ruining the steering and Torsendef, as well as making the 128ti feel more tenacious than the 80kg heavier M135i.

click here To find out what the prototype was like to drive the legendary German Nürburgring here 5 ways BMW made 128ti more fun than the all-wheel drive M135i.

Sounds fun. It will go on sale next month and will start at £ 32,995. This is a bit less than the new Golf GTI starting at £ 33,460 (DSG Auto is £ 1,500 more), but higher than the £ 32,820 Honda Civic Type R or Ford Focus ST. But they are all in the same stadium. And BMW’s specs are generous, using an 18-inch alloy with sticky Michelin rubber, large brakes, iDrive and M-Sport bumpers, skirts and spoilers. Thankfully, you don’t have to put a “ti” badge or red highlight on the threshold.

Immediately try out the finished article and then do some important group testing with Golf GTI and others. Please take a look at this space.