BMW’s 1 Series coupe will go on sale on November 24 as the ‘halo’ model in the line-up.

The coupe will have a £700 price premium over the five-door model.

Carl Sanderson, general manager, product planning at BMW UK, said: “To be quite frank it’s really aimed at people who can’t afford a 3 Series coupe.”

BMW expect coupe sales to be around the 3,500 in 2008. The five-door will have sales of around 22,000 and the three-door 8,600.

“The coupé is the sportiest and most dynamic model in the 1 Series range and we think it will attract younger, modern buyers,” said Sanderson. “I think it’s quite good that it will be fairly exclusive, almost rare,” he added.

The final model in the 1 series line-up will be the convertible which will go on sale in early April 2008.

Prices for the 1 Series coupé start at £21,585 for the 120dES rising to £24,855 for the 123d SE and £29,745 for the 135i M Sport.