18:29 24-05-2026

BMW M5 Touring Facelift Prototype Spotted at Nürburgring

BMW M5 Touring facelift prototype spotted at Nürburgring: Neue Klasse design, louder V8 exhaust, updated hybrid powertrain. The LCI update brings iDrive X.

The current-generation BMW M5 Touring hasn't even become a common sight on the road yet, but the brand is already preparing a significant update. A camouflaged G99 prototype was spotted at the Nürburgring, and this isn't just a light cosmetic refresh for a new model year. BMW wants to quickly bring the M5 and the entire 5 Series in line with the new visual and digital philosophy of Neue Klasse.

The body won't be completely redesigned: this is a more serious LCI facelift than usual. Up front, the prototype shows narrower headlights, a revised bumper, and what appears to be a more compact grille. The wagon already looks closer to BMW's new design language, though it won't go as far as a radical Neue Klasse transformation. The profile will likely remain largely unchanged.

The main updates may be limited to new wheels, body colors, and trim details. The M5 Touring's hybrid nature stays: the charging port cover is visible on the left front fender. So BMW isn't dropping the V8 and electric motor combo that underpins the current M5. The rear is also camouflaged, but the taillights look redesigned. They seem to move away from the current two-line design and become closer to newer BMW models. Four exhaust tips remain — visible exhaust is now a privilege reserved for M Performance and full M models.

The most intriguing aspect is the sound. The prototype sounds noticeably more aggressive than the current M5 Touring. BMW may be changing the exhaust or the tuning of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 S68. There's also a simpler explanation: the test car could have been running without the gasoline particulate filter, which significantly dulls the sound on European versions. In Europe, this V8 recently lost 41 hp due to Euro 7 requirements, but the total system power remains 717 hp because the electric motor compensates for the engine's losses. In markets without such regulations, the balance between the gasoline engine and the electric part should stay the same.

The cabin will see just as many changes. The updated M5 will get iDrive X, a new interface architecture, and a full-width head-up display. The rotary controller is a thing of the past. The passenger screen is still up in the air: at least it could become an option, but it's not certain to be standard.

The M5 Touring after the facelift won't become a different car, but its character will shift. BMW is bringing it closer to the brand's new era while keeping the essentials — the V8, hybrid power, and wagon body. Perhaps this blend of old-school sound and new interface will be the last truly transitional M5.