BMW is currently testing various prototypes of the overhauled 5 Series family across Europe including at least a few M5 test vehicles conducting evaluations around the Old continent. Our professional photographers have captured some of them on the road and today we have a new set of spy photos, showing a fully disguised test car that reveals some new design details.
A Bavarian company might try to test the vehicle’s cooling system under heavy loads with a rear-mounted trailer. That’s why the front fascia has less camouflage than before and we finally get to see the shape and design of the front bumper. The plastic piece looks very sculptural with a large opening at the bottom with the trapezoidal shape of the lower grille. Two more air holes can be seen on the sides of the bumper.
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Just earlier this month, we saw another prototype with a fully covered bumper but sporting its production headlights. A more recent shot shows the car equipped with temporary headlights but there is already enough information for the rendering artist to create an early preview of the new M5. We hope to have unofficial renderings to share with you soon.
Aside from the uncamouflaged bumper, this prototype looks very similar to all the previous M5s we’ve seen. It has “Hybrid Test Vehicle” stickers on the front door and rear bumper, which is true to the fact that the new M5 will have an electric powertrain. It will combine a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine with an electric motor for an estimated peak output of around 650 horsepower.
What you can see in the attached photo above is the M5 Sedan. We say that because the plan is to go into production in July 2024 and will be followed by the M5 Touring later that year. We haven’t seen a prototype of the long-roof performance engine yet, even though it should be sold in the United States as a competitor to the Audi RS6 Avant.
