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.

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.

It’s been a busy few testing days for BMW at the Nurburgring and we’ve spotted the M6 Gran Coupe continuing its testing, just days after BMW acknowledged that the flagship M model will be coming next year. It will likely arrive as a 2014 model year and see its auto show debut at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit or the 2013 Geneva show. Expect the first details of the car to be announced online by the end of this year.

The M6 Gran Coupe will be powered by the same S63Tu engine as the M5 and M6, but possibly be introduced with a bit more power than the 560hp of the M5/M6. Prototypes have been spotted testing with and benchmarked against M5s (video below). A 7 speed … CONTINUED

We brought you the first photos of the 2015 M4 Coupe prototype earlier today, now have a first live look and listen at the prototype in action on the Nurburgring.

What you’re seeing and hearing is the F80 M3 / F82 M4’s anticipated inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing approximately 450 horsepowers. The engine has been rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium block with a heavily modified cylinder head. The Induction technology is said to be completely new as will be the latest bi-vanos variable valve timing. But, we also think that there may be a possibility that the engine turns out to be a reworked/enhanced version of a successor engine to the N55 (which has … CONTINUED

We’ve heard rumblings in the past weeks that the F82 M4 coupe had begun its public testing rounds and our spies have now spotted it for the very first time!

The prototype wears the typical heavy camouflage of early stage mules, but there’s plenty to analyze. There’s little doubt this is the M version of the upcoming 4 Series coupe. There are the signature M quad exhausts, the flared fenders, signature blue M brakes, wide tires, and M6 steering wheel.

Both the front and rear fenders on the M4 coupe are significantly flared and stretched compared to the F32 4 Series prototypes we have spotted. The rear flare is easy to spot, while the front is less conspicuous. But one can easily tell in photo #5 where the … CONTINUED

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

A couple of 2014 X5 (F15) prototypes flashed their grilles for the first time during one recent test run and our quick acting spies managed to capture it before their camouflage were reattached.

As we’ve reported previously, the grilles are indeed larger, wider, and bolder than those on the current X5. It retains the 7 slat design, but the grilles now dominate more of the front fascia and has a much thicker grille surround than the current X5 - see the comparison image below.

The hoodline has been moved to above the kidney grilles and taking up recent design cues a la F30 3 series, the headlights will connect with the kidney grilles. Although the headlight shape is still obscured by the camouflage on this prototype, we’ve … CONTINUED

We’ve just spied the next generation BMW X5 M prototype beginning its testing! Although still clad in full camouflage, signature M features leave no doubt that we are looking at the next X5 M.

The most conspicuous items are the quad M exhausts, active differential and blue brake calipers, which have become the signature color for M model brakes (i.e. F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6). Seen behind the blue M brakes are drilled rotors, the first for any X5 model. Hiding behind the front end camouflage are huge air intakes and we get a very clear look at how the headlights will connect to the kidney grilles, in the same fashion as on the F30 3 Series.

This prototype comes just 6 months after the regular F15 X5 … CONTINUED

A mystery BMW model appeared at the BMW Museum a bit over a month ago, shrouded under a big blue tarp. It’s yet to be positively identified, but could this possibly be the next generation F80 M3 sedan or F82 M4 coupe?

There’s not much to go off of by way of the sparse photos, but the one part of the car that can be partially seen - the wheels, happen to match the wheels that have been spotted on the F80 M3 sedan prototypes from our spy photos.

It’s premature for any F80 M3 concept to be shown, much less an F82 M4 coupe (the F32 4 series coupe upon which the M4 will be based has not even debuted yet), but is it just our hopeful … CONTINUED