[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Haters Gonna Celebrate! BMW F20 1 Series Spied with Early Headlight + Front Facelift

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Our latest prototype spotting is a surprise... and it isn't. It appears that BMW is already updating the F20/F21 1 Series hatchback's front end look, much earlier than the usual LCI facelift schedule (3rd model year or later).

That BMW is updating a model's look only 1-2 years after introduction is a surprise, but given the negative reactions that the 1 Series' front end (headlights, in particular) has garnered, perhaps this sighting isn't so surprising afterall.

Our spy photos clearly show that the front end (and only the front) of the F20/F21 is receiving some cosmetic changes. From what we can see, the headlights will be made smaller, taking away some of the Angry Birds look that many have jokingly compared headlights to. They seem to retain a teardrop shape, albeit a less dramatic one.

As for the rest of the front end, the photos are not yet telling as to the exact changes, but there are likely to be revisions, or BMW would not have bothered to cover up the front fascia.

With the recent sighting of the 2 Series (which is built on the 1 Series' platform) and its smaller headlights, this could be a plan to more closely align the 1 and 2 Series front appearances.

Expect the updated 1 Series hatchback to debut sometime in 2013, as well as the 2 Series Coupe.

Compare against F20 1 Series camouflaged headlights






Compare against F20 1 Series headlights







Compare against F23 2 Series prototype headlights [more pics]

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[berk]

Better than before but still Ugly!

[bimmerJP]

Originally Posted by berk

Better than before but still Ugly!

Well, there is camo all over it. We can't really tell. Let's wait and see...

[chriscecc914]

Definitely looks like slimmer headlights. Glad to know BMW listened to the public and initiated a revision so quickly!

[aajami]

So the F20/F21 will have two LCIs, eh? Didn't the X5M have two as well?

[RL530xit]

How much do you wanna bet theyre connecting the headlights to the grill, that might be why the whole front end is camo'd... Should be nice! I like the connected to the headlights look, nice on the 3 and stunning on the 4 that debuted today...

[Moo]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

These are the real deal yes and in real life you can see all the visual aspects of the front especially the key detail of the front of the car.
EU Pedestrian legislation has changed car design and the 1er conforms to the latest and future legislation.

The 1er for BMW is a Compact car, and thus in europe you can have a 116i just as later we will get a 135i Sporthatch. If that is what you term "econobox" in the US then you have no worries - The 1er Sporthatch will not be coming to North America. I like the car even though I seen it years ago.

What I like about it is that it now showcases identity. In a segment where everyone looks to the benchmark "VW Golf" BMW designers went another route. In reality the car is striking and really brings out all the visible design features in Titanium Silver and lighter metallics. I like the headlights because they are influenced by camera lenses and of course they resort to the latest LED technology. The interior is very premium - quality now is on a higher level and the large fixed screen gives a Premium feel from the larger 6er - The 3er also receives the same idea. Material quality now uses grained high quality plastics and of course leg and head room is much improved for rear passengers. The rear of the car is simple evolutionary design from the E87. BMW 1er (F20) was designed back in 2006/2007.

To make an informed decision you have to see the car for itself.

Originally Posted by Moo

Yea, we saw it, and it's U-G-L-Y.

You honestly, HONESTLY think this looks good?

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Yes, because I have become familiar with the design of the car.
it has it's own identity. It is polarizing but it works in reality where you can actually see the front three-dimensionally.

[宝马.e90]

With the camo, the shape reminded me of the E92 headlights, and that's a good thing. The rest of the front wasn't bad so if they changed the headlights, this could be a very good looking car vs. the original release.

[Ian///M]

love to see the facelift on the M135i

[Imola.ZHP]

I like the 1er hatch as is. If they would have brought it to the US, I would have bought one...

[Rated M Roadster]

Good, the F20 front end was absolutely horrid.

[bimmerJP]

Originally Posted by aajami

So the F20/F21 will have two LCIs, eh? Didn't the X5M have two as well?

Not really. X5M just has the new LED headlights option, which has the X6 LCI design. So technically it only had one LCI.

[bimmerJP]

Originally Posted by RL530xit

How much do you wanna bet theyre connecting the headlights to the grill, that might be why the whole front end is camo'd... Should be nice! I like the connected to the headlights look, nice on the 3 and stunning on the 4 that debuted today...

10 imagination bucks say you're wrong

[amdmaxx]

Welcome improvement indeed..
next step: work on taillights..

[aajami]

Originally Posted by bimmerJP

Not really. X5M just has the new LED headlights option, which has the X6 LCI design. So technically it only had one LCI.

Yup, but the year before that it received the updated taillights with the thicker light bars from the X5 LCI, no? I think those two events (X5 LCI and X6 LCI) happened across two consecutive MY/production cycles.

[red-sauerkraut]

Originally Posted by RL530xit

How much do you wanna bet theyre connecting the headlights to the grill, that might be why the whole front end is camo'd... Should be nice! I like the connected to the headlights look, nice on the 3 and stunning on the 4 that debuted today...

Not happening to this car.

You'll see.

[Diver]

Just another step closer to knowing what the 2 series coupe will look like.

[yemski]

I'm just curious how the initial design got past the BMW board in the first place. Sure it has "identity", perhaps for being the most repulsive front end in the segment. So now they are doing an early facelift to rectify the "identity". Those that bought the pre facelift 1er are going to take a hit, and sooner than usual.

[Wolf]

The title had me rolling ... what if the LCI comes out and the new headlights are much worse than the originals? haha It would be BMW's statement to haters to go Fuck themselves :P

[red-sauerkraut]

Most the haters are in North America where they cannot even own this car.

Originally Posted by Wolf

The title had me rolling ... what if the LCI comes out and the new headlights are much worse than the originals? haha It would be BMW's statement to haters to go Fuck themselves :P

[RollingLower42]

They fixed the front lights, but now the back looks hideous. Am I the only one that think the back lights look terrible? It looks like a GTI hatchback now..

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by yemski

I'm just curious how the initial design got past the BMW board in the first place. Sure it has "identity", perhaps for being the most repulsive front end in the segment. So now they are doing an early facelift to rectify the "identity". Those that bought the pre facelift 1er are going to take a hit, and sooner than usual.

As with most facelifts, there will always be some people who prefer the early look. I like how the F20 M-Sport looks now, and I am not alone.