Launched back in 2011, the second-generation BMW 1 Series is about to receive a facelift, or as BMW->ke178 likes to call it, a "life cycle impulse (LCI)." We've known that for a while and almost four years into the model's cycle seems an appropriate time for a refresh, but the latest official information about the matter points toward the unveiling of the 1 Series' facelift occuring on January 16, which is obviously tomorrow. BMW made that rather clear by posting what is probably one of the shortest teasers ever on their UK YouTube account.

Less than a third of the 14-second-long video shows a pair of BMW's trademarked "Angel Eyes," which are definitely engulfed in a pair of redesigned headlights for the facelifted 2016 1 Series. As it can be seen from both the footage above and by guessing the features on some camouflaged prototypes being tested in recent times, the refreshed 1 Series will get all-new headlamps, losing the controversial Hammerhead shark-like design of the original model. As expected, it is the front end that will mostly get under the knife, with the facelifted model looking a bit less contentious, while the side and rear will only be mildly refreshed.

As far the technical modifications are concerned, the engine lineup will receive a host of three-cylinder engines that were until recently only found on MINI models, with some of the old powerplants receiving small boosts of power and an improvement in fuel economy. All in all, whether you love it or hate it, the current-generation BMW 1 Series will be the last one offered with rear-wheel drive, as the next generation will switch to a version of MINI's->ke57 UKL platform, rendering it either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive exclusively. In other words, this will be the final chance to grab a compact, rear-wheel-drive BMW, if that matters for anyone anymore.

BMW 1 Series