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Photo: kelsonik / Instagram
After 27 years on the market and no less than four generations, the all-new BMW X5 (coded G65) mid-size luxury crossover SUV was introduced for the 2027 model year in all major regions in 2026 with a futuristic design change and no less than five powertrain options: gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, EV, and FCEV.
The all-new fifth generation BMW X5 arrives in the nick of time: the Audi Q7 has also switched generations with traditional SUV appeal and more space and luxury than ever before, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe rivals have received a deep mid-cycle refresh with three-pointed stars outside and new interiors all around.
After the initial shock caused by the adherence to the Neue Klasse banner, which includes the X-shaped LED daytime running lights at the front, the vertical illuminated kidney grille, and the BMW Panoramic Vision inside, things have settled into their course – BMW already offers for configuration one Neue Klasse X5 version in America, the 40 xDrive model starting from $72,100 with the 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder and xDrive all-wheel drive churning out 394 horsepower and 28 MPG.
Soon, there will be all-electric offerings, too, along with the PHEV model – while diesel is reserved for places like Europe. Don’t expect the FCEV model before 2028, though, as it’s still in development and a niche product – a technology demonstrator more than anything else. Speaking of demonstrators, BMW isn’t going to let the Audi Sport and Mercedes-AMG divisions have all the fun.
As such, a Neue Klasse BMW X5 M is coming, and it’s currently in development, as revealed by our latest spy photographer partners. They caught the 2028 BMW iX5 M hitting the Nürburgring Nordschleife back in August 2026, signaling that the model is well advanced in the development cycle and the reveal is probably just around the corner, pegged for the end of the year or early in 2027.
However, not everyone is patient – and that includes the members of the imaginative guild of digital car content creators dwelling across the parallel universes of vehicular CGI. For example, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as “kelsonik” on social media, thinks that now is the right CGI time to work on a brand-new BMW X5 M with ICE power under the hood – as opposed to the spied BMW iX5 M.
The pixel master is also using the latest spy photos and has imagined the new iteration with a subtle gray hue plus exposed carbon fiber aerodynamic attire. The X-shaped DRLs are in their place, but the grille is now real and styled in line with the current X5 M. However, there’s a different bumper treatment with the icicle LEDs left and right plus a massive intake above the carbon fiber spoiler.
There are also fresh black centerlock wheels plus red brake calipers, carbon fiber sills, a roof spoiler plus stacked red LEDs in the bumper, and a smaller intake above the diffuser with quad exhausts for the profile and rear. So, what do you think – does it look “better than the old one or at least the standard X5,” asks the author.
Questions arise, though, regarding the powertrain. For the BMW iX5 M, the automaker will probably use the same setup as for the electric M3, but for the ICE version, they could go for the PHEV option from the BMW M5 and M5 Touring. Right or wrong?