The F32 4 Series Coupe and F33 4 Series Convertible have finally shown one of its most important signature design elements (and on any BMW) – the kidney grilles!

As expected, the kidney grilles of the coupe are sportier (thinner, shapelier and wider) than that of the F30 3 Series sedan. A close look reveals a different number of slats and differing designs for the grilles on each side – 11 flatter slats on the driver side versus 9 ‘kinked’ slats on the passenger side. We are likely looking at the separate grille designs for the different ‘lines’ that the F32 and F33 will be offered in (just like the F30 sedan). The closeup image of the hood and front end also reveals extra camouflage panels on … CONTINUED

The BMW on Demand rental program offers rentals of current BMW models on an hourly basis, including the most desirable models available – the M models. Have a look at some of what’s regularly available from the On Demand program at the BMW Welt (M3, M5, M6, X5M, X6M).

With the official announcement from BMW of the New Navigation Professional and iDrive/ConnectedDrive, many of you have inquired when the technology (both a software and hardware [cpu, graphics processor, hard drive] upgrade) would be implemented on the various models.

Below is the scheduled rollout for the new navigation and iDrive. These dates do not apply to the new iDrive Touch system, which will have a separate rollout and application schedule.

[b]]July 2012 Production:[/b]

3 Series touring and Activehybrid 3 (F31/F30h)
5 Series, 5 Series GT, 5 Series LWB (F10/F11/F07/F18)
M5 (F10M)
7 Series (F01)
M6 Coupe and Convertible (F12/F13M)

[b]November 2012 Production:[/b]

3 Series Sedan (F30)

[b]March 2013 Production:[/b]

1 Series Hatchback (F20/F21)
6 Series Coupe, Convertible, Gran Coupe (F12/F13/F06)

[b]April 2013 Production:[/b]

X3 (F25)

For those curious, the list of hardware upgrades (vs. the current) … CONTINUED

Bill Caswell has written a piece for Jalopnik in which he lays out his points for the death of BMW’s M brand. BMW’s just announced Lime Rock Edition M3 was the final coffin in the nail for this journalist.

So what do our readers think? Has the death knell for BMW M brand been sounded prematurely, or does Bill have a point?

Ever since the introduction of the first M Performance cars (the new BMW model lineup slotting between the M models and regular series cars) earlier this year, we’ve been hearing and BMW has been hinting at such cars for the North American market.

Now that the first petrol model, the M135i (official info | reviews), has debuted, Autoweek reports that the M235i coupe will be the first M Performance model to arrive in the U.S. and Canada. The report states that the M235i coupe will start sales in the States in early 2014, after a debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. We think this may be too early of an estimate however, unless the M235i will be launched together with the F22 2 series coupe (which … CONTINUED

New photos of the mystery shrouded BMW model spotted at the BMW Museum shows that it is indeed a coupe shape, ruling out the possibility that it is the F80 M3 sedan. However, new info and clues provide some guidance on what it may be.

The car is confirmed to have quad exhausts, which confirms that it’s an M model. We can think of two upcoming M models expected in the next 2-3 years bearing the shape and size suggested by the photos – the F82 M4 Coupe and M6 Gran Coupe. The rear tires on this model give further clues. They are Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 275/35/19 size, which is too small for the M6 Gran Coupe, which should share similar size tires as the … CONTINUED

Listen to the fury that comes from the Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust system for the BMW E92 M3 coupe and 1M coupe. The video gives a great comparison of the different sounds achieved by each car with the Akrapovic exhaust.

DRIVE CLEAN takes a tour of BMW’s North American Headquarters in Woodcliff Lake New Jersey to discuss their “Frozen” matte paint and to identity how it differs from traditional clear-coat finishes.

Matthew Russell, president of the M-car and Alpina division’s for north America, gives a tour of the facility and discusses how BMW came to create their new “Frozen” paint scheme (shown on BMW’s M3 with Frozen Monte Carlo Blue). BMW’s head of body-and-paint technical training manager, Walter Malec, also discusses matte-paint technology and repairs. And as expected, we’ll also review how to best clean and care for matte finishes.

Here are more photos of the 2013 M3 Lime Rock Special Edition Coupe, together with the official press release.