- BMW is tweaking the 5-Series with sharper lights and new grilles.
- The sedan may skip Neue Klasse styling for a cleaner, familiar look.
- Interior may adopt BMW’s panoramic iDrive and steering wheel.
BMW’s strategy for mid-cycle updates has become increasingly nuanced, especially when it comes to its core models. Just as the 3-Series was thought to set the template, the larger 5-Series was expected to follow suit with a front-end treatment inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse concept.
However, recent spy photos suggest something else entirely. Rather than fully adopting the new design language, BMW appears to be revising the existing facelift, opting for more restrained changes.
Read: BMW’s Already Facelifting The Facelifted Neue Klasse 5-Series
A camouflaged prototype of the 2027 5-Series Touring shows kidney grilles that echo the current model’s shape, though they’ve been subtly reshaped to look slimmer and more angular.
The headlights also appear to be new. They stop short of the more experimental look seen on the iX3, instead offering a design that sits between the current 5-Series and what BMW is rolling out across its upcoming Neue Klasse lineup.
Also: Facelifted BMW M5’s Fake-Nose Disguise Wants To Sow Neue Klasse Confusion
Inspired by those latest sightings, digital artist Sugar Design has created a series of renderings of what the refreshed 5-Series might look like once it reaches production. While the changes may not be as significant as originally expected, there’s no denying that this design is much more appealing than the current car.
The render showcases more than just new grilles. The headlights are sharper, housing reworked LED daytime running lights with a cleaner, more aggressive shape. The bumper has also been redrawn to match, simplifying some of the previous car’s more cluttered elements and giving the sedan a more current look.
As with most facelifts, very few changes – if any – will be made to the 2027 5-Series’ profile. Wheel designs may be updated, but the basic form and surface treatment will likely stay the same.
More: BMW Turns Down The Design Drama And Turns Up Its Love For Sedans And Wagons
At the rear, the visual shifts are restrained as well. The taillights keep their existing shape, though with revised internal elements that add some visual complexity. Small changes, but ones that contribute to a more polished appearance overall.
What About The Interior?
What remains unclear is how much of the interior will be carried over from other Neue Klasse models. BMW may choose to bring the 5-Series in line with the more futuristic setup seen in the iX3, including the wide Panoramic iDrive display that sits low on the dash and a separate angled infotainment screen. The iX3’s new four-spoke steering wheel is also expected to make its way into the 5-Series cabin.
Also: BMW Is About To Change The Look Of Every Single Car It Makes
From a mechanical perspective, major updates don’t appear to be on the horizon. The existing lineup, including the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbo inline-six, is likely to remain in place. Diesel variants should continue in markets where they’re still viable, alongside the plug-in hybrids and the fully electric i5.
