It’s only been a few weeks since BMW started testing
facelifted 5-Series models on public roads, Carscoops spy photographers have
caught multiple Sedans as well, with seemingly different specs.
Aside from new bumpers, the updated 5-Series is set
to receive brand new headlights and a heavily revised grille. The former are
way sleeker than the current model’s and actually kind of remind us of the
3-Series. It’s “funny” how BMW always seems to overdo it on initial designs,
only to tighten things up during mid-cycle updates – the headlights on these
prototypes definitely make the older ones appear rather bulky.
Speaking of overdoing it, the grille design is the
exact opposite. We considered it reasonably-sized when we first saw the
seventh-gen G30 5er, but now, it looks like it has grown in size quite a lot.
Granted, it definitely won’t be as large as the one on the 7-Series or the X7,
but the difference will be noticeable.
Moving on to the rear, it’s possible that these
prototypes aren’t wearing their production taillights, because they don’t seem
much different than the current ones, although to be fair it’s very hard to
tell. We were kind of expecting a more pronounced design at the base of each
lighting unit, but we’ll just have to wait and see if that’s going to be the
case. Still, new graphics are a given.
As for the different specs we mentioned earlier, we
believe the blue prototype seen above is rocking M bits on the outside, whereas
the black model is not. What they do have in common however is the plug-in
hybrid powertrain, which means we’re either looking at 530e iPerformance
models, or perhaps a possible 545e xDrive, which is said to get the 388 HP
six-cylinder unit from the 745e.
While we don’t have any shots of the interior, we
expect to see BMW’s latest 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as the
10.25-inch infotainment display from the new 8-Series, both rocking the latest
software. The facelifted G30 BMW 5-Series should be unveiled either in late
2019 or sometime next year.
