These are the first pictures of the updated BMW X1 which will be revealed at the New York Auto Show.  These updates come just two and half years after its entry level SUV was first revealed in its production guise.

In a move to rid the car of its black plastic cladding and provide it with a more upmarket appearance, the X1 receives a host of subtle exterior styling tweaks.

Changes include the adoption of a more heavily contoured front bumper with an altered grille featuring silver slats, more pronounced sockets for the round fog lamps and a completely redesigned lower section finished with a silver accent.

The headlamps retain the same familiar shape as those used on the existing X1, but receive new internal graphics, including LED corona ring main beam lights as an option. Further back, it gets reshaped exterior mirror housings carrying side repeater lights.

The rear receives a restyled bumper, which like the one up front, has been lightened visually by the adoption of more body coloured surfaces and a larger silver scrub-plate element.

Inside, the X1 adopts a lightly reworked centre console, high gloss air vents and a new range of optional trim elements. BMW will also start selling the X1 in the US post its reveal at the New York Auto show. 

Expect the updated X1 to hit our shores later this year. 

More images here