What's the news?
These are the first photographs of the third-generation BMW Z4 roadster, undergoing its final testing at the German company's Miramas test centre in the south of France.
With its long bonnet, short overhangs and - of course - the opening roof, the Z4 Mk3 is the result of a joint venture with Toyota, which will base its Supra sports coupe on the same platform and underpinnings as the Z4.
Interestingly, the third-gen Z4 has returned to a fabric soft-top roof, like the original 'Bangle' version launched in 2003, rather than the folding metal hard-top of the outgoing second-generation model.
BMW says the new Z4 is undergoing a 'particularly important stage of the process towards serial production maturity', with the work at Miramas focusing on the driving dynamics of the heavily-disguised prototype.
Specifically, BMW is focusing on the drive and suspension systems, confirming one engine by revealing there will be a Z4 M40i model - that almost certainly means the single twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine that sees service in plenty of models in the current range, where it typically makes around 340hp and 450Nm.
Further details include the fact the Z4 M40i boasts lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, a newly-developed front axle, M light alloy wheels with mixed-size tyres from axle to axle, an M sports brake system and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Jos van As, head of application for suspension, said of the roadster: "The vehicle concept of the new BMW Z4 is geared consistently towards agility and driving dynamics. The high level of body stiffness and the very rigid suspension attachment provide the perfect basis for a set-up that guarantees the performance qualities of a genuine sports car in terms of steering precision as well as longitudinal and transverse acceleration."
Anything else?
The BMW Z4 is expected to go into full series production in November this year, so it should hit our roads in early 2019.