Spy photographers captured a heavily camouflaged 2027 or 2028 BMW M5 LCI prototype at the Nürburgring, showing Neue Klasse styling while the M5 is expected to retain the S68 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with electric assistance and a combined output of 717 hp.
The photos were published 8 October 2026 and were provided by our spy photographer partners who tracked the car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (the Green Hell).
Our spy said, "The images show the heavily camouflaged prototype being pushed through the demanding Nordschleife, giving us a good look at the next evolution of BMW’s high-performance sedan. While the camouflage does hide many of the design details, several changes can already be seen, particularly around the front and rear of the vehicle."
The prototype displays a Neue Klasse-styled front fascia and retains a quad exhaust arrangement at the rear. The profile appears largely unchanged from the current M5.
BMW is carrying the Neue Klasse design language across its range. Since last fall BMW introduced the second-generation NA5 iX3 as the first Neue Klasse model. This year BMW followed with the NA0 i3 electric sedan on the same underpinnings as the iX3, a refreshed 7 Series and i7 with Neue Klasse interiors, and the latest X5 plus the first iX5 featuring Neue Klasse exterior and interior styling but an evolved CLAR architecture under the body to support gasoline, diesel, PHEV, BEV, and FCEV powertrains.
BMW has also rolled out or teased several fall introductions: the G50 3 Series with internal combustion engines, a teased i3 M60 xDrive, the range-topping iX3 M60 with 603 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, and the first iX4 coupe-SUV in Neue Klasse form with up to 603 hp and up to 428 miles of range on the relaxed iX4 50 xDrive model.
The M5 seen at the track is a mid-cycle refresh, known at BMW as a Life Cycle Impulse or LCI. The Nürburgring testing indicates BMW is continuing to fine-tune the M5’s chassis, aerodynamics, and driving dynamics ahead of the facelift.
Industry sources and the rumor mill expect few changes to the M5’s powertrain; the current setup pairs the 4.4-liter S68 twin-turbo V8 with electric aids for a combined 717 hp. BMW could increase battery capacity slightly within the same packaging, which might yield a modest rise in EV range versus the present EPA figure of about 25 miles (40 km), but that remains unconfirmed.
BMW has not announced a production timeline or confirmed technical changes for the M5 LCI.
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