A facelifted BMW M5 prototype has been photographed in Germany wearing production-style headlights, suggesting the updated plug-in hybrid sedan is moving closer to its official reveal. The car remains heavily camouflaged, but its lighting design provides an early look at one of the changes expected for the refreshed model.

Each headlight features two slim, horizontally arranged LED daytime running lights. The layout differs from the diagonal DRLs used on the latest 3 Series and electric i3. Images also appear to show the main LED headlight units positioned beneath the daytime running lights.

White DRLs remain on the prototype

The test car’s daytime running lights are white, even though BMW has begun using yellow DRLs to identify its M models, including the new M350. That suggests the prototype may still be using lighting components from the regular facelifted 5 Series rather than the final M5 configuration.

BMW’s larger 7 Series and X7 use split-headlight designs, but the updated 5 Series and M5 appear to retain a more conventional arrangement, with the primary lighting elements housed within a single headlight assembly on each side.

Camouflaged front end and revised rear lighting

Heavy disguise continues to cover the kidney grille and the central portion of the hood. The camouflage appears to conceal a deeper hood channel leading toward BMW’s roundel, while the front-end treatment is expected to reflect the design already seen on the new 3 Series.

The prototype does not show obvious changes at the rear, although the M5’s taillights are expected to receive a revised LED graphic. That would help distinguish the facelifted car, known within BMW terminology as a Life Cycle Impulse model, from the current version.

The familiar quad-exhaust layout also remains in place. The arrangement has been associated with the M5 since the E39-generation car introduced a V8 in 1999. Later versions moved to V10 power before returning to a twin-turbocharged V8, while the current G90-generation M5 added plug-in hybrid assistance when it arrived in 2024.

Powertrain output is not expected to change significantly

The current M5’s hybrid system increased curb weight by 1,045 pounds, or 474 kilograms, while bringing total output to 717 horsepower, equivalent to 727 PS. The facelifted model, along with its M5 Touring wagon counterpart, may not receive additional power, as BMW typically leaves its M powertrains largely unchanged during a facelift.

There could instead be an opportunity to improve electric driving range through BMW’s newer battery technology. The current model is rated for 38 miles, or 62 kilometers, of WLTP range, a figure that trails newer plug-in hybrids such as the Range Rover Sport, which is capable of more than 70 miles, or 113 kilometers, on a charge.

Major changes expected inside

The most substantial updates may arrive in the cabin rather than the engine bay or front fascia. BMW introduced its newest iDrive system on the 2026 iX3 and has been expanding it across additional model lines.

The new setup replaces the combined digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen with a pillar-to-pillar display positioned at the base of the windshield, alongside a tablet-style touchscreen that appears to float above the dashboard. The facelifted 5 Series and M5 are expected to adopt this interior technology as the update progresses toward its debut.