BMW surprised us all in March 2025 when spy images of a facelifted M5 surfaced. The test of the updated super sedan seemed unusually early, considering that deliveries of the “G90” had begun only a few months earlier. Since then, the German luxury car manufacturer has surprised us again. Last month, another prototype was spotted in use, hiding a different facelift.
Although both test vehicles were heavily camouflaged, the differences between them were hard to miss. The earlier prototype attempted to hide a Neue Klasse inspired look. It had a modernized kidney grille that extended outward to meet the headlights. BMW previewed this design language with the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept and plans to introduce it on its first production models later this year, led by the new 3 Series and i3 sedans.
The newer M5 prototype
However, the newer test car seemed to dial back the Neue Klasse influence and go for a more traditional kidney grille. A new rendering aims to remove the camouflage of the prototype discovered a few weeks ago. It’s hard to say which approach works better, but it suggests that BMW has revised the Life Cycle Impulse for its performance sedan.
In both cases, the prototypes featured slimmer headlights that were more in line with those of the new iX3. BMW’s apparent decision to rethink the M5’s facelift well ahead of its release in 2027 appears to carry over to the standard 5 Series as well. The “G61” Touring has already been seen in a toned-down Neue Klasse makeover.
The older M5 prototype
It’s not uncommon for an automaker to rethink a facelift before putting it into production. Typically, however, these changes occur quietly behind closed doors in the design studio before prototypes ever hit the public street. That’s what sets the 5 Series and M5 apart: it’s rare to see visible design revisions on prototypes that have already been spotted in the wild.
The apparent shift towards a more conventional front end is said to be due to customer feedback. Previous reports pointed to internal studies and external analysis that suggested a more subtle facelift would be better received. Feedback on the original design may not have been particularly positive, prompting BMW to go back to the drawing board.
An evolutionary design limits costs
Perhaps more than just customer taste plays a role. Cost is likely to be a factor, as the original facelift would have added to the already sizeable bill. The 5 Series and the M5 are among the 40 or so models that will receive the New Class interior, which in itself is an expensive undertaking. Redesigning these cars for the new iDrive system is unlikely to be cheap, especially considering they aren’t all-new next-generation models.
The stealth may have played a trick on us, but we’ll have to wait to find out for sure. The facelifted 5 Series and M5 aren’t expected until the second half of next year. Production of the LCI models is reportedly scheduled to begin in July 2027, so there won’t be an official debut until 2026.
Representation: Kolesa.ru
