Spy footage shows V8 hybrid will adopt new Neue Klasse design language at Nürburgring testing.
BMW's 2027 M5 facelift adopts horizontal kidney grille design during Nürburgring testing. Spy footage confirms V8 hybrid powertrain returns. Major styling departure from current 717hp model.
The changes represent BMW's most radical M5 facelift since the F90 generation launched in 2017. Testing footage shows design alignment with the new i3 and iX3 models, according to spy video published on Carspotter Jeroen's YouTube channel in April 2024. The horizontal grille integration marks a departure from traditional M5 styling conventions.
Nürburgring Testing Reveals Design Direction
Track testing at the Nordschleife exposed the M5's new front fascia configuration. The horizontal twin-kidney grille integrates lighting elements directly into the assembly. Camouflaged prototypes showed revised rear exhaust positioning with dual outboard tips on each side. BMW engineers conducted multiple laps during April testing sessions. The prototype retained the current model's basic proportions but altered key visual elements. Industry restructuring has prompted BMW to accelerate design language unification across its performance lineup. Test drivers pushed the hybrid powertrain through various corner combinations while data loggers recorded suspension behaviour.
Neue Klasse Language Adoption
The M5's styling borrows heavily from BMW's electric vehicle design vocabulary. "A horizontally oriented twin-kidney grille that integrates the lighting elements" appears consistent with recent i3 and iX3 launches, according to Motor1's analysis published April 2024. The cabin will receive Panoramic Vision dashboard technology featuring a large central display and slim windshield-mounted screen. This represents the first time BMW has applied Neue Klasse elements to its M division flagship sedan. Interior spy shots remain unavailable but sources confirm major layout changes from the current generation. The dashboard redesign aligns with BMW's broader performance EV transition strategy extending through 2027.
Powertrain Specifications Expected
Current M5 Competition produces 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet from its 4.4-litre V8 hybrid system. The 2027 model will retain this basic configuration but potentially increase output figures. Electric-only range currently measures 42 miles with the existing battery pack. Higher-capacity cells could extend this range beyond 50 miles for the facelift model. BMW's eight-speed automatic transmission continues unchanged from the current generation. Total system weight currently exceeds 2,200 kilograms for the Competition variant. The hybrid motor delivers 197 horsepower independently while the V8 produces 520 horsepower alone. These figures suggest combined output could reach 750+ horsepower for 2027, representing a 33+ horsepower increase over today's specification.
Facelift Scope Exceeds Typical Updates
Most BMW M5 facelifts historically involved minor bumper and light changes. The 2027 update represents a more substantial visual overhaul than the F10 to F90 transition in 2017. Previous generation updates typically altered 15-20% of exterior panels compared to approximately 40% for this revision. The horizontal grille orientation contrasts sharply with vertical kidney designs used since the E28 M5 debut in 1985. Chinese manufacturers have adopted similar horizontal grille themes for European market models. BMW's decision reflects pressure from changing buyer preferences in key markets. Traditional M5 customers purchasing patterns show increasing acceptance of design departures when performance specifications improve proportionally.
Production begins in Munich during Q2 2026 with deliveries starting autumn 2026. European pricing will likely exceed €140,000 before options. The complete BMW model history and specifications are catalogued in the Global Auto Index manufacturer database.
