The long-awaited BMW 1 Series has hit town at last.

And yes, it's everything you've heard about it -- and more. It's a not-to-be-missed driving experience for anybody who loves cars.

The handling is precise to a fault, especially in cornering. The acceleration is instantaneous -- like a tremendous rush of pent-up energy that will have you begging for more. For the money, you will have a tough time beating or even matching this car for content and performance.

My overall impression: The 1 Series is even more fun to drive than the 3 Series models, which have gotten bigger, heavier and more expensive over the years.

The 1 Series starts between $28,600 and $34,900. Two models are available -- a coupe and soon-to-be unveiled convertible. It comes in two versions, 128i (we had the 128i Coupe) and 135i. The 128i has a 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter, in-line 6 (rated at 18 mph city and 28 highway). The 135i has a turbocharged engine of the same size that produces 300 horsepower (rated at 17/25).

A word of advice: Be sure you test drive both versions. If you're anything like me, you'll find the 128i more than adequate for your needs. Hardliners and weekend track enthusiasts likely will want the explosiveness of the turbocharged engine, but the 128i is plenty fast for me.

Another strong point of the 1 Series: There's lots of input from the steering system, the tires, the suspension, the engine and other components so you know what the car is doing at all times.

Then there's the tingle you get because everything happens almost blindingly fast on this car. Shifts come precisely and lightning quick, a mere twitch of the steering wheel is all that's required to change directions. Some drivers might find the ride too rough -- potholes are murder in this car -- but I prefer the firm suspension.

Inside, the 1 Series is all business. Just two large gauges under a hood greet you, with a nearby start-and-stop button that you push after inserting a square remote control into the dash.

The navigation system is a pop-up design that disappears when you turn off the ignition.

Meanwhile, the seats are firm enough to hold you in hard cornering. Controls are easy to use, and even the iDrive, which operates a number of functions, feels a bit more intuitive than earlier versions.

But the interior holds the only problem people may have with the car -- the tiny back seat.

There's room for only two people, provided they are small and lithe.

This isn't a car in which to haul the whole gang in -- and so be it, as far as I'm concerned.

But even though the 1 Series isn't large, BMW, which owns Mini Cooper, knows full well that an increasing number of drivers want smaller cars with top-drawer features, and that's exactly what you get here.

This is clearly a premium compact car with all of the appointments and perks that are present on any BMW -- leatherette seats, a sport mode shifting option, steering wheel mounted paddles and more. Standard equipment on the 128i includes a sunroof, 10-speaker stereo system, alloy wheels and cruise control.