BMW will apply its new design language to almost all models in the coming years to varying degrees. By the end of 2027, the New Class will leave its mark on around 40 vehicles, including the 5 Series. The Munich E-Class competitor is due for a life cycle impulse, but BMW will not bring the originally planned LCI onto the market. Instead, it will be more low-key, as suggested by the spy images we shared a few days ago.
Compared to the drastically redesigned prototypes spotted earlier this year, the 5 Series appears to be taking an evolutionary approach. The camouflaged Touring, which was caught on camera by car paparazzi this week, appeared visually less dramatic than the first test vehicles. Now a new rendering attempts to break the camouflage and offer a clearer look at BMW’s softer mid-cycle cosmetic updates.
The 5 Series facelift may not adopt the New Class grille expected on next year’s 3 Series and i3 sedans. At least that’s what the prototype seemed to suggest, with the kidneys remaining separate from the headlights. This can be both positive and negative, depending on how you view BMW’s Neue Klasse design. The prototype’s kidneys appeared smaller, although additional camouflage may have been used to intentionally mislead observers.
One thing we can say for sure: the headlights looked different compared to previous prototypes. Even though the setup is preliminary, it’s clear that both their shape and size have changed, adopting a flatter design than the current 5 Series. We dare say the sharper new headlights hint at a futuristic, E39-inspired vibe.
Regardless, the LCI will primarily focus on front-end changes. Otherwise, the G61 Touring prototype looked almost identical, save for possibly new taillight graphics. Even if BMW ultimately decides against the originally planned exterior makeover, the interior will undergo a major redesign to accommodate iDrive X.
Such extensive interior overhauls don’t come cheap, so BMW could try to offset the costs elsewhere. Reducing the exterior facelift while largely retaining the hard points of the pre-LCI model would help reduce investment, which is already rumored to be among the highest ever for a facelift.
At the moment, the spy shots and subsequent renderings raise more questions than answers, but that’s what makes this job so exciting. We’ll keep an eye on the prototypes to reveal more design details before the official launch in 2027.
Renderings: Kolesa.ru
Latest facelift prototype of the BMW 5 Series
Previous facelift prototype of the BMW 5 Series
