- BMW’s M5 sedan was spied in facelifted form ahead of debut.
- Rapid PHEV gains Neue Klasse cues, but opinions are still split.
- Earlier spy shots showed a visor nose, but now it’s hidden again.
Last week, we ran a scoop story on a facelifted 5-series prototype, and today we got to see how the hot M5 is also in line for some Neue Klasse design cues. The visual updates will bring it into line with the new iX3 and the eighth generation 3-series that drops later this year.
Smooth, but unmistakably wide fenders, fat sill extensions and a deep front bumper with multiple hungry air intakes mean you’d never mistake it for a regular four-cylinder BMW sedan. Still not convinced? Four tailpipes poking through the rear diffuser panel confirm it.
Related: 2027 BMW 5-Series Looks To Join The Neue Klasse Era
The G60-code 5-series and G61 5-series Touring already feature some NK trademarks, including the slab-sided sheetmetal and sharp creases that call to mind military hardware.
And earlier sightings of non-M Five prototypes wearing minimal front-end camouflage suggested the middleweight sedan and wagon would also get the visor-like face from the iX3, which draws inspiration from classic 1960s, ’70s and ’80s Beemers.
Our previous spy shots, though, appeared to pour cold water on that idea. They showed a MY27 Touring with what looked like a more conventional, traditional BMW kidney grille setup, sparking rumors that the Bavarians had backtracked, opting to tone down their Neue Klasse ambitions.
Under the mask
But have they really? Yes, the 5-series buyer is usually older and so probably more small-c conservative than someone shopping for a 3-series or electric X3. It’s entirely possible that BMW tested the new look with focus groups and it bombed, prompting a reassessment.
Also: Trump’s FBI Director Ditches Chevy Fleet For “Less Conspicuous” BMWs
Or maybe BMW’s R&D team had its knuckles wrapped for giving away too much and was told to throw some more disguise on its test cars. That Batman-mask dual-kidney bulge we see is only a riveted-on panel to prevent us getting a look at what’s underneath. It’s also plausible that the visor face is very much still present, just hidden from view.
Cooling matters
SH Proshots
It’s worth noting that the wide, horizontal radiator cooling slot is still visible between the kidneys and the license plate. The same slot was seen on the early visor-nose 5-series prototype because the smooth Neue Klasse face doesn’t give any facility for air to pass through at any point between the headlights.
We don’t get to look inside, but BMW may decide to adopt the new Panoramic iDrive layout that debuted in the iX3 and is headed for the 3-series. It’s possible we might also get more power and more range miles from the plug-in-equipped 4.4-liter V8, which currently makes 717 hp (727 PS / 535 kW), and is officially rated at 42 miles (67 km) of electric driving.
One thing’s for sure, the M5 will have an even tougher time on its hands post-facelift, because by that point Audi’s RS6 and AMG’s E63 will also be refreshed and feature hybrid power. Do you think BMW is backtracking on the Five’s NK makeover? And should it?
