THE LATEST BMW M5 IS ALREADY GETTING A MAKEOVER
The 2025 BMW M5 debuted less than a year ago, with the reveal taking place at the end of June 2024. Despite this, BMW is already preparing a facelift for its first hybridized M5, and we're not complaining. While its weight was one of the key elements singled out by many for criticism, the styling was also perceived by some as less than stellar.
2025 BMW M5 Sedan
To be fair, few BMWs in recent years have been lauded for their elegance, but with the upcoming Neue Klasse styling direction, there's hope for the brand's future aesthetics. Happily, BMW is not waiting for all-new generations of its current cars to arrive before imbuing them with a cosmetic update that the brand says makes the cars look as if they "skipped a generation."
A Much Cleaner Look, But BMW Is In Danger Of The Russian Doll Syndrome
Images captured by spy photographers show that the entire front end will be revised. While the central kidney grilles will still be large, it appears that they will blend with the headlight clusters, creating an instantly recognizable face. As a result, the hood will get some slight changes, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the bumper design carry over. The riveted panels on the hood appear to be attempting to hide the recess seen on the current car, but at the rear, a quartet of exhaust tips confirms that we're looking at the M5 and not a lesser 5 Series.
Opinion: BMW's Neue Klasse Design Language Is An Opportunity To Return To Elegance
BMW has finally found a way to modernize classic cues without shock value or excess nostalgia.
Unfortunately, the taillights and rear bumper on this development mule are placeholders, so we have no definite clues as to how these will change. That said, we expect to see a similar sort of light bar to the one seen on the Vision Neue Klasse sedan concept, which is not far off the design of the current G90's tails. While there will be slight differences between each model as they adopt the new language, past sightings of prototypes suggest that the basic shapes of front and rear fascias will be broadly similar. Hopefully, more than just size will distinguish the appearance of each Bimmer.
Futuristic Updates Are Coming To The Cabin, Too
Since the M5 is still a relatively new project, and the M5 Touring station wagon is even more recent, we're not expecting this Life Cycle Impulse (or facelift) to come into effect for some time. Our spies estimate 2026 or 2027 as the release date, and we'd also bet on late next year before we see the completed design. These spy shots depict a car still relatively early in its development, but that's a good thing because it gives BMW time to perfect its new infotainment setup.
BMW Promises Not To Put Bigger Screens In Its Cars
In an apparent shot at the MBUX Hyperscreen, BMW has promised that its in-car screens will grow no larger than their current size.
We can't say too much about our personal experience with the high-tech new Panoramic iDrive system until later this week (keep an eye out for that), but the basic idea is that a narrow screen will span the bottom of the windshield, providing important information without requiring the driver to look away. Gesture control and the iDrive rotary knob are also gone, but BMW has several other innovations that should help make interacting with the car while on the move safer and more natural. With this new M5 embracing Neue Klasse looks, expect next-gen interior tech, too. These changes will naturally apply to the M5 wagon as well. We'll bring you more information as we get it.
2025-02-14T06:28:00Z