It is not yet clear what will become of the BMW Z4. Some say the car will be part of a duo under development jointly with Toyota, while others believe it is going to be replaced by an all-new Z5. In any case, we won’t be hearing anything about it for at least two years.

That’s a long time, which is why some designers decided to have a go themselves at face-lifting the current generation BMW Z4 and speculating on what the next one may look like. Whether or not they’ve got it right doesn’t matter right now.

This is what the guys from RM Design have come up with. Their 2017 BMW Z4 looks remarkably similar to the existing model in profile, but has grown more muscular and features more defined features. Some 6-Series-inspired taillights and a glass folding roof complete the picture.

If the next BMW Z4 shares its platform with Toyota’s new sports car, chances are they will both be powered by sophisticated hybrid powertrains. That will take the Z4 into a whole new realm.