CGI Reimagines BMW X5: Neue Klasse Design Tweaked!

Virtual artist reimagines the new BMW X5

Digital car creator Nikita Chuicko, better known online as 'kelsonik,' has released a fresh CGI take on BMW's all-new X5, redesigning both exterior and interior details to create an alternate Neue Klasse–inspired vision. The renderings respond to ongoing debate around BMW’s recent design direction and offer a practical, slightly more conservative interpretation of the G65 X5 family.

Why this matters: Neue Klasse rollout and the G65 X5

BMW's Neue Klasse era expanded last year with the NA5 second-generation iX3 electric compact crossover. This year the German automaker has continued the transition with the second-generation i3 sedan (NA0), a refreshed 7 Series/i7 that borrows Neue Klasse cabin ideas, and the all-new fifth-generation G65 X5 mid-size luxury crossover SUV. Although the G65 still rides on the CLAR platform, BMW has equipped it with many Neue Klasse design and tech elements—and for the first time the X5 lineup includes a battery-electric iX5.

The iX5 60 xDrive is the technical headline: the model comes with BMW's largest battery yet—144 kWh in North America (141 kWh in Europe) composed of cylindrical cells—and an 800‑volt architecture enabling charging speeds up to 460 kW. The G65 family offers an unusually broad powertrain menu for one generation:

• Gasoline
• Diesel
• Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
• Battery-electric (BEV, the iX5)
• Hydrogen fuel-cell

This breadth positions the X5 to compete across markets and regulatory environments, but design choices have been divisive among fans.

What kelsonik changed in his CGI X5

Rather than an extreme reinterpretation, kelsonik’s work is corrective: a lineup of subtle, familiar tweaks intended to placate enthusiasts who dislike some Neue Klasse cues.

Exterior changes include:

• A squarer, shorter kidney grille that replaces the tall, narrow treatment.
• Redesigned headlights that drop the stylized dual ‘X’ LED signatures.
• A revised front bumper to suit the new face.
• Conventional flush door handles instead of small, delicate actuators.

Notably, the rear appears largely untouched, keeping the X5’s overall silhouette recognizable.

Interior revisions aim for a cleaner, more traditional cockpit:

• A conventional three-spoke steering wheel replaces the avant-garde unit.
• A single central infotainment screen (removing the passenger display).
• The expansive pillar-to-pillar digital cluster is swapped for a smaller, driver-focused instrument cluster behind the wheel.

These changes restore familiar ergonomics while retaining Neue Klasse tech under the skin.

Highlights

"A plausible middle ground" could be how many describe kelsonik’s concept: it keeps BMW’s engineering and new powertrain choices intact but softens the visual language for customers who favor tradition over experimentation.

Market context and reaction

BMW has reported strong early production uptake for the Neue Klasse iX3 and i3 sedan, suggesting buyers are warming to the new direction despite vocal online criticism. The G65 X5 and the long-wheelbase G78 X5 could face a steeper acceptance curve because the X5 is a core model with many loyal, design-sensitive owners.

Whether the G65/G78 family will match the sales momentum of the iX3 and i3 likely depends on several factors: trim and option mix, dealer marketing, and whether BMW offers softer styling packages or aftermarket solutions that echo concepts like kelsonik’s.

What do readers think?

Are kelsonik’s changes a welcome compromise or a missed opportunity to push BMW design forward? Share your take: yay or nay.

This CGI exercise is a reminder that digital designers play an increasingly visible role in the conversation around automotive styling—often translating customer sentiment into instantly sharable visual proposals that manufacturers and fans alike can react to.