The Z4 LCI refresh may be a bit overdue, but these first photos of the refreshed Z4 show us that it’s on its way.

The photos reveal that the LCI will be more of a “lightlift” than a facelift. The only changes come to the side fender gills and the lighting elements inside the headlights and tail lights. Their shapes will not see any changes. The angel eyes are brighter LED and we can expect some updated lighting accoutrements underneath the masking.

We expect the Z4 LCI to hit the market early next year.

Here are some renders put together by site member E92Alpine328i (Jerry).

Our analysis:

M4 COUPE (F82)

The F82 M4 coupe render will prove to be the more accurate of the two. Most accurate is the M6 style bumper, which BMW insider Scott26 has recently said (and sketched) to be the styling to expect for the M4 coupe. The F32 4 Series coupe and F82 M4 coupe are expected to feature similar headlights to the F30 3 series, but should be sleeker/slimmer. Their kidney grilles will be also be sleeker than those seen on the render, as the recently exposed 4 Series coupe grille spy photos show.

No spy photos have yet to show a hood bulge, and the anticipated inline 6 turbo engine should fit under the bonnet without … CONTINUED

The newly updated 2013 BMW 7 Series will again set new benchmarks in its class for performance, luxury, efficiency and safety.

The updates include significant powertrain upgrades for 740i / Li; 750i / Li, xDrive and BMW ALPINA B7 models –including BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission (8-speed Switch-Tronic high performance transmission for B7), xDrive – BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system – now available for the 740Li, as well as a completely new powertrain for the ActiveHybrid 7 and BMW ALPINA B7 which remains as the undisputed benchmark in terms of luxurious performance, chassis technology, and hand-finished exclusivity.

The new 7 Series boasts a revised exterior that features new technologies such as available LED headlights. The interior of the new 7 is similarly enhanced with a newly redesigned iDrive … CONTINUED

First videos of the 2013 BMW 3 Series Touring (F31) have been posted in our official F31 thread. Check out the 3 series touring in driving action, exterior walkaround, interior review, and a trunk demonstration.

The BMW Art Drive! BMW Art Car Collection Exhibit has kicked off in London. The ICA, in partnership with BMW, the Mayor of London and the London 2012 Festival, has taken over a landmark car park in Shoreditch for two weeks only from 21 July to 4 August for a unique exhibition of the BMW ART CAR COLLECTIONon show for the first time in the UK. Admission is free.

BIMMERPOST member Roger Lightness was very lucky this morning to have access to the setting up of BMW’s ICA Art car exhibition in London and has shared these photos with us.

BMW has released an update to the BMW Connected app for iPhones and vehicles that support BMW Apps.

This is a run down the new changes:

ECO PRO Analyser (only in conjunction with the new Professional generation of navigation systems, available in selected models from July 2012):
This driving style analyser evaluates the efficiency of acceleration, braking, and gear shifting for the maximum range. Driving style efficiency is enhanced in addition with helpful ECO tips

Wiki Local (now also available outside of the vehicle):
Wiki Local is the ideal travelling companion. Browse through Wikipedia articles about the places and sights near you. You can even have them read out to you. Now you can use your iPhone on the road as well to view the matches and your favourites … CONTINUED

BMW On Demand, the hourly (or daily/weekly) rental program currently available in Europe (see model selection), is crossing the Atlantic to the U.S.

The service will begin in NYC (Manhattan) where folks will be able to rent cars from participating dealerships. BMW of Manhattan will be the first (and pilot) dealership and will have approximately 100 328i sedans available. More models should become available later. In Europe, the range of vehicles available covers the whole BMW models gamut, from hatchbacks to convertibles, sedans, SAVs and M cars. See below for a look at some of the BMW On Demand models recently spotted in the garage of the Welt.

The U.S. BMW On Demand website is already live at http://www.bmwondemandusa.com, but the program won’t kick off, nor pricing … CONTINUED

Japanese tuning company 3D Design releases its aero kit for the F30 3 Series sedan.

From the company’s inception in 1998 the gentlemen at 3D Design Japan have worked persistently to develop a brand focused on the idea of clean lines and top shelf products produced in conjunction with top shelf manufacturers. The new generation of BMW chassis pose a interesting challenge due to the fact that the Munich designers have done a excellent job with the aesthetics. The F30 is no exception. Although the variance from the E9X chassis is slight the gents at 3D Design needed to develop a aero line that was simple while bringing a more aggressive presence to the new flagship vehicle.

Albeit 3D Design will be releasing more products for the F30 … CONTINUED

So sorry folks, we don’t mean to cry wolf, but upon closer inspection we believe that this prototype is actually the 3 Series GT.

With some of its rear camouflage removed, it revealed a sleeker hind roofline and rear, which gave it the appearance of a fastback/coupe-sedan, which we mistook for the 4 Series Gran Coupe. We apologize for the mistake.

The silver lining is that the 3 Series GT is looking sleeker/sportier than ever.