Refreshed BMW M140i announced, priced at $59,990

In what BMW calls a ‘Life Cycle Impulse’ (or LCI), the 1 Series has been updated with new design features, new tech, and most importantly, a new price.

The 250kW/500Nm very-hot hatch will now be available to Oz punters for $59,990, around $5000 less than before.

The turbo 3.0-litre straight-six and the performance standing of the M140i is unchanged, and the car is still available in 6-speed manual at the same price as an eight-speed auto.

But $50K makes a tempting offer for a car that’ll get you to 100km/h in a claimed 4.6s. Especially considering it’s now at the same price bracket as the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R, the Mini Clubman JCW, and the Ford Focus RS.

The car features new exterior and interior styling, with 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels in Jet Black and a new paint colour made available, Sunset Orange metallic.

LED Headlights are now standard for the whole 1 Series range, with adaptive LEDs now standard on the M140i.

Inside, the M140i also gets BMW’s new iDrive6, a more app-focused infotainment system as seen in the new 5 Series, which also now operates on a touch screen.

Additionally, interior trim can now be optioned with more chrome finishes, while leather upholstery can now be ordered in a ‘Cognac’ finish.

However, the second LCI for the BMW 1 Series range didn’t alter the asking price for the BMW 125i, a $49,990 offering which BMW says has been the most popular 1 Series variant so far in 2017.