BMW’s Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) updates often slip in with quiet exterior tweaks, the kind you might miss if you blink. This time, though, the brand seems to be shifting gears with the X1. Instead of modest changes, the entry-level SUV, or SAV in BMW terminology, is headed for a radical redesign that also transforms the interior.

With influences from BMW’s Neue Klasse design language making their way in, it raises the question: is this really a facelift, or does it mark the start of a fresh generation, like what we saw with the 1-Series?

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Recent sightings of heavily camouflaged prototypes have already hinted at the direction, and now we have a clearer picture. Using those spy shots as a base, digital artist Nikita Chuiko from Kolesa has created new renderings of the next X1. These visuals provide us with a fairly accurate preview.

A Sharper Face

The refreshed SUV will carry BMW’s new front-end identity, featuring a slimmer kidney grille and sharper LED headlights that echo the look of the new iX3. The bumper, hood, and fenders will be redesigned too, softening some of the current model’s aggressive lines, especially those emphasized in the M Sport trim.

The sheet metal on the profile won’t be identical, with the X1 gaining pop-out door handles, sleeker surfacing and more aerodynamic mirrors. The greenhouse should be carried over, but there could be a few changes on the D-pillar that remained covered in the prototypes. Finally, BMW designers will add new options for the alloy wheels, contributing to a more modern stance.

Changes At The Rear

The tail will also mark a stylistical departure from the current X1. The L-shaped taillights will give way to elongated units separated by the BMW emblem and the license plate will be positioned lower on the tailgate, unlike the iX3 where it is mounted on the bumper.

Inside the Neue Klasse

The X1’s interior won’t miss out on the Neue Klasse treatment either and will gain the new Panoramic iDrive cockpit with a slim display covering the base of the windshield. There will also be a larger infotainment touchscreen with a trapezoidal shape, although we don’t know whether it will match the 17.9-inch diameter of the iX3’s. The new layout will most likely be combined with a four-spoke steering wheel and new options for the upholstery.

Under The Hood

The X1 already covers a wide spectrum of powertrains, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrid and the fully electric iX1. These options are expected to remain, but with incremental improvements in efficiency and performance.

The fully electric iX1 is currently available in FWD and AWD forms with a range between 415-475 km (257-295 miles), but BMW might want to improve those figures amid the fierce competition from newer rivals. This could be achieved with new battery packs, more efficient electric motors, and better aerodynamics.

When Will It Arrive?

The third generation of the BMW X1 was introduced in mid-2022, meaning it is already three years old. According to earlier reports, the mid-lifecycle update would debut in 2027. However, given the prototype activity and BMW’s ambitious product strategy, a 2026 debut seems increasingly likely.

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Munich has confirmed the launch of 40 new or updated models with Neue Klasse styling and technology by 2027. BMW AG’s Chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse has stated that every model that will arrive from 2026 onward will be new. It remains to be seen whether the next iteration of the X1 will be labeled as an extensive facelift or a new generation.

BMW