Because BMW is nothing if not punctual, the company's already doing outdoor tests of a refresh to the 7 Series expected for the 2013 model year. Outside of turn signals in the rearview mirrors, change may not be a selling point.
Carscoop caught this 7 Series with Active Hybrid badges rolling in Germany, saying it expects minor tweaks all around for the updated model, but no big surprises. Wouldn't want to startle anyone.