BMW 1 Series Coupé

Okay, so the Scuderia is unlikely to arrive in time for Christmas, and really, on salt covered roads we'd perhaps not want to use it until later in the year. In the meantime we'd be delighted to have a BMW 123d to use. The 1 Series has long been criticised for its looks, but in our eyes the new coupe is a looker - albeit an unconventional one.

Even if you're not as convinced as we are by the looks, to drive it's an absolute Christmas cracker. The 204bhp twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel is super punchy and revvy, the beautifully balanced rear-wheel drive chassis hugely entertaining. The boot isn't going to hold much more than a Christmas hamper, and if you're the designated driver around Christmas (as you'll want to be) your friends will need to be pretty supple to get in the back. Indeed, if Santa feels like bringing us one of these we'd bet he'd take the long way around to enjoy it even more.

Tuesday December 11

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Paris Motor Show 4-19th October 2008