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BMW refreshes the M5 Touring for 2028 with a cleaner face
BMW’s high-performance estate returns with a subtler look for the 2028 model year. Spied in prototype form ahead of a mid-cycle update, the M5 Touring ditches the polarizing Neue Klasse-inspired front treatment seen on earlier mules in favor of a more conventional — yet sculpted — M design language. The result is a sharper, more cohesive nose that keeps aggressive intent without veering into gimmickry.
Exterior: refined aggression up front, familiar sportiness at the rear
The most obvious changes appear in the front bumper: a pronounced mid intake flanked by larger lower openings gives the car a purposeful stance while improving airflow for cooling. BMW has also simplified and better-integrated the kidney grille, pairing it with reworked lighting clusters that sit more naturally within the fascia.
To the rear, BMW favors evolution over revolution. The Touring adopts updated signature taillight graphics that echo cues from BMW’s upcoming electric line, yet the M5 keeps its classic sporting details — quad exhaust outlets in dual-tipped housings remain a clear nod to the model’s performance roots. Side profiles look unchanged from earlier models, which is unsurprising given the Touring’s established proportions.
Interior overhaul: screens take center stage
Although spy photos of the cabin are not yet available, BMW’s broader cockpit refresh for the G99 (Touring) and G90 (sedan) indicates a major shift. The new M5 twins move away from a traditional driver-centric layout toward a screen-dominated cockpit. Expect the iDrive X operating system and the Panoramic Vision display architecture to replace the rotary iDrive controller and the conventional digital instrument cluster.
This change introduces a continuous, high-contrast display band running across the base of the windshield — a bold move that will divide opinion among purists. On the positive side, tactile M controls on the steering wheel are expected to survive the update, preserving some driver-focused functionality.
Powertrain and performance: hybrid muscle remains the headline
Under the bonnet, nothing radical changes: the M5 Touring continues to combine a V8 internal-combustion engine with an electric motor in a plug-in hybrid setup. For European markets the combustion unit has been tuned to meet Euro 7 emissions rules, delivering roughly 536 horsepower. BMW uses software compensation to maintain the M5’s combined system output at about 717 hp, with peak system torque electronically limited to 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) to protect the ZF-supplied 8HP automatic transmission.
The 8HP gearbox integrates an electric drive unit into its housing and features a separating clutch that can physically disconnect the engine — a sophisticated hybrid architecture that balances responsiveness with drivability.
Range, weight and market positioning
At an estimated curb weight near 2.5 tonnes, the M5 Touring is heavy for a plug-in hybrid, which compromises pure-electric range. BMW’s M division continues to prioritize performance, so range improvements are unlikely to be a major focus in this Life Cycle Impulse.
- Expected combined power: ~717 hp
- Engine-only output (EU): ~536 hp
- Torque limit: 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm)
- Transmission: ZF 8-speed (8HP) with integrated electric drive
- Production start: scheduled July 2027 for 2028 model year
- Assembly: BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Germany
In a market where the high-performance wagon is a niche but cherished segment, the M5 Touring competes with limited alternatives such as the Audi RS6 Avant and other bespoke high-power estates. BMW’s update sharpens the car’s visual identity and modernizes the cabin tech, while keeping the mechanical formula that enthusiasts expect: V8 drama enhanced by electric torque.
Expect official reveal details and interior photos as BMW prepares to ramp up production next summer. For buyers who want estate practicality without sacrificing super-saloon pace, the refreshed M5 Touring remains one of the most compelling choices on the market.
“A tidy facelift that respects the M5 Touring’s DNA while bringing its cockpit into the 2020s.”
Source: autoevolution
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