STREET FIGHTERS

While there’s more on the horizon from AMG, the M Performance-fettled 1 Series won’t see a full-fat M car within its range – this is

IT’S ALMOST LUNCHTIME and only a handful of corners have been taken in anger. Storm clouds brood above as the boss man, editor Inwood, and I serve as lighting gofers. Our resident snapper, Ellen Dewar, captures it all through the camera lens. The storm is getting closer; single heavy drops start to fall. With key fobs in hand but no authorisation to use them, the skies above seem as agitated as us. Yet we’re under strict orders to get the ‘hero shot’ before Mother Nature unleashes her fury.

The downtime allows a moment to consider this duelling pair. Both the Mercedes-AMG and BMW five-doors are among the premium hot hatches of the moment yet they already carry unique baggage. Simply put, the $69,300 A35 could