It is always a special thing when a BMW begins development testing at the Nurburgring. Not only does it reassure us BMW faithful that Munich’s finest is being properly developed and tested on the world’s most hallowed racetrack, it also marks the next step towards final release of the car.

Looking at the car itself, it seems to be an earlier prototype which still retains the body armor protecting it from revealing eyes and cameras. However, it does appear when looking at our earlier more revealing spyphotos and videos that the design is already complete. However, what many of us speculate is not complete is the development and decision on the power train. I include the word decision because as there is debate among enthusiast circles about … CONTINUED

The F01 7-series is due for a facelift and the prototypes continue to undergo public testing.

Expect the F01 7-series LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) to be unveiled next Spring. The biggest changes to be seen will be to the front fascia. Full LED headlights will come to the 7 series for the first time. Underneath the camouflage tape, the bumper directly underneath the headlights will transition to the lower part of the kidney grilles with a more pronounced ’swoop’ line (not pictured in render). The lower bumper will take on the attractive look of the BMW Concept 7 Active Hybrid from 2008.

The Kidney grilles will receive a thicker and more pronounced grille surround and thicker angled kidney grille bars found on some 6 series and 5 series … CONTINUED

The F30 3 series will be fully revealed to the world this Friday, but its dashboard has now been revealed in these spy photos. Although these are not great quality photos, what’s seen here does appear to match up to the F30 interior spy photos we’ve previously posted.

As expected, the F30’s dashboard is a bit of a mix between the F10 5 series and F21 1 series, with the large fixed screen that we’ve seen in previous spy photos.

The dashboard trim appears to be quite a bit taller, but shorter than the E90/E92’s trim and is an attractive black wood grain in this particular model.

We recently reported the first sighting of the upcoming 6 Series Gran Coupe on the Nurburgring, and the M Sport version has now hit the ring for the first time.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe will feature M sport exterior styling from the 6 Series M Sport which adds an aggressive flare to the Gran Coupe’s very sleek shape. Current expectation is for the Gran Coupe to hit showrooms in 2012 as a 2013 Model Year vehicle. Engine range is expected to be identical to the 6-Series Coupe.

The 6 Series Gran Coupe will take on the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7 directly.