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New BMW 5 Series: Mild Update, Maximum Balance

In a world where mid-cycle updates often bring dramatic redesigns or tech overhauls, BMW is taking a different tack with the 2026 G60 5 Series. With just two years on the road and a facelift still looming, this iteration sees only the lightest of touch-ups. A few new trim and upholstery options, a striking new paint color (Frozen Portimao Blue), and minor price tweaks round out the list. It’s evolutionary rather than revolutionary — and in the case of this midsize luxury sedan, that’s not a bad thing.

Under the Hood: If It Ain’t Broke…

Mechanically, the G60 lineup stays the course. The familiar trio of powertrains remains, led by the base 530i and 530i xDrive. These models make do with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s smooth and capable in city driving but can feel a bit winded when asked to hustle on the highway.

The sweet spot remains the 540i xDrive, which carries over its turbocharged inline-six (the venerable B58). With 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft, it offers a compelling blend of performance and efficiency — and it’s hard to argue with its 28 mpg combined EPA rating. It’s the “Goldilocks” choice for enthusiasts who still crave a bit of the old-school BMW magic.

At the top of the non-M lineup is the 550e xDrive, a plug-in hybrid pairing the B58 engine with an electric motor for a combined 483 horsepower and a meaty 516 lb-ft of torque. It sprints to 60 mph in a BMW-estimated 4.1 seconds, making it the quickest of the bunch. That said, its 500+ extra pounds of curb weight can’t be ignored when the road gets twisty. The good news: its new 11-kW onboard charger means shorter plug-in times, and the EPA estimates 33 miles of electric-only range and 67 MPGe — though real-world owners report closer to 27 mpg overall.

Interior: Subtle Upgrades and Enduring Comfort

Inside, the 5 Series remains a showcase of BMW’s mature design language. The cockpit is modern but familiar, with intuitive controls, a large curved display, and excellent build quality. New interior colorways like Taupe and Dark Violet/Atlas Gray offer more customization, and six trim choices — including a sporty carbon fiber option for M Sport models — broaden the car’s appeal.

Luxury remains a strong suit here. The optional $1,350 Luxury Seating Package brings ventilated, multi-contour front seats and heated rears — a must-have for long-haul comfort. The $600 Sky Lounge Panoramic Roof transforms the cabin ambiance and adds resale appeal.

While BMW hasn’t altered the tech stack, that’s not necessarily a knock. iDrive remains one of the better infotainment systems in the business, even if it still requires a bit of acclimation. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and the $1,900 Premium Package continues to be a strong value with its HUD, surround-view cameras, and remote start. Audiophiles should tick the $950 Bowers & Wilkins sound system box without hesitation.

Space and Practicality: Bigger Where It Counts

At 18.4 cubic feet, the G60’s trunk bests both the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the longer wheelbase translates into excellent rear-seat comfort. Though technically still a midsize, the G60 flirts with “baby 7 Series” territory more than ever. For some buyers, that added space and comfort will justify the premium over the more agile 3 Series — though the trade-up may not feel worth it to all.

Safety and Driver Assistance: Familiar Faces

There are no changes to the standard safety suite, but it remains comprehensive: blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist are all included. The $2,500 Driving Assistance Professional Package unlocks BMW’s semi-autonomous driving aids — including the much-talked-about automatic lane change via mirror glance.

Pricing and Recommendation: Stick With the Sweet Spot

Starting at $61,075, the 530i is competitively priced, especially given its standard features. Add $2,300 for xDrive. The 540i xDrive asks $68,275, and the PHEV 550e xDrive nudges close to the $76,000 mark. These prices put the 5 Series in direct contention with the Audi A6, Genesis G80, and Volvo S90.

While the 530i makes sense on paper, those expecting the “Ultimate Driving Machine” experience may find it lacking after a few spirited drives. The 540i xDrive continues to offer the best balance of power, refinement, and value. It’s where we’d put our money.

Source: BMW

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New BMW 5 Series: Mild Update, Maximum Balance
News

BMW Skytop and Speedtop finally in the same place

BMW has taken plenty of heat in recent years over its polarizing design language, but even its harshest critics are falling silent in the presence of its latest creations: the Skytop and Speedtop. These two bespoke beauties mark a rare moment of near-universal praise for the Bavarian automaker, combining stunning retro-modern aesthetics with the performance pedigree of the M8.

Now, for the first time, both models are showcased side-by-side under one roof at BMW Welt in Munich—an exhibition that feels as much like a celebration as it does a product display.

Built on a Solid Foundation

While the Skytop and Speedtop are dripping in bespoke flair, their underpinnings are rooted in familiar excellence. Both are based on the M8 chassis, benefitting from BMW’s flagship GT’s powertrain and handling prowess. But beyond the engineering, the design tells a different story. These aren’t just rebodied 8 Series variants—they’re bold reinterpretations of classic body styles: a targa-roof convertible in the Skytop, and a dramatic shooting brake in the Speedtop.

BMW Group Head of Design Adrian van Hooydonk recently shared images of the duo on Instagram, igniting excitement across the automotive world. The Skytop has already sold out, but there are still a few precious build slots remaining for the Speedtop. As for pricing? BMW remains tight-lipped, but reports suggest both models hover around the €500,000 mark.

Exclusivity Comes at a Cost

That price tag brings more than just exclusivity—it also demands a few compromises. Neither car features rear seats, a sacrifice in practicality that won’t deter their target audience: ultra-wealthy buyers willing to spend Rolls-Royce money on a BMW. Just 120 units will be built in total—70 Skytops and 50 Speedtops—ensuring their rarity from day one.

Production of the Speedtop isn’t scheduled to begin until late 2026. Due to the high cost of U.S. homologation, neither model will be officially sold stateside. However, they could still make their way across the Atlantic under “show and display” exemptions, similar to the ultra-rare 3.0 CSL.

Speaking of Legends

The Skytop and Speedtop may seem expensive, but they don’t top the list of BMW’s most extravagant offerings. That title goes to the limited-run 3.0 CSL—a modern homage to the original E9 “Batmobile”—which allegedly carried a €750,000 price tag. Limited to just 50 units and based on the M4 CSL, it holds the distinction of being the most powerful inline-six BMW ever built.

The future may hold more high-end surprises. Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, confirmed to BMWBLOG that another special M project is in the pipeline.

Design With a Purpose?

The retro-infused design language of the Skytop and Speedtop could hint at a larger aesthetic shift for BMW. While it remains unclear whether these styling cues will influence mainstream models, the upcoming Neue Klasse design philosophy—previewed on prototypes like the iX3 and i3—suggests a turn toward smoother, more minimalist forms.

Gone, perhaps, will be the excessive creases and sharp lines that have defined recent BMWs. In their place: the flowing, elegant contours seen on these limited-run masterpieces. One can only hope that some of the Skytop and Speedtop’s artistry will trickle down to models that the average enthusiast might one day afford.

Source: BMW; Photo: adrian.van.hooydonk via Instragram

Future

BMW Ethos Concept Blends M1 Heritage with Hydrogen Hypercar Vision

BMW M has officially confirmed that a brand-new halo supercar is in development—one that could rekindle the spirit of the legendary M1 from the late 1970s. While the automaker has yet to release concrete specifications or imagery, the news has already ignited the imagination of automotive enthusiasts and independent designers alike. Among the most striking interpretations is the BMW Ethos, a visionary digital concept by Italian designer Sebastiano Ciarcia.

Though purely speculative, the Ethos is more than a fantasy. It’s an inspired fusion of BMW’s design DNA and forward-thinking innovation, crafted with the precision and flair that only a true automotive aesthete could deliver. Ciarcia’s Ethos channels the radical flair of Italdesign’s Nazca C2 from the 1990s, merges it with the futurism of the Vision M Next, and sprinkles in cues from the groundbreaking i8. In essence, it’s a spiritual successor that pays homage while looking decisively toward the future.

Visually, the Ethos is arresting. A dramatic, low-slung profile with a wide stance gives it immediate supercar presence. The glass canopy—akin to a fighter jet cockpit—offers panoramic visibility, while partially exposed rear wheels harken back to classic Italian exotics. The front fascia is a modern reinterpretation of BMW’s kidney grille, now body-colored and minimalist, accented by a subtle, off-center roundel. Ciarcia notes that this design touch nods to BMW legends of the 1950s, including the 503 and 507.

Integrated within the front intakes are sleek LED headlamps, whose placement and shape evoke Le Mans prototypes—particularly the Peugeot 9X8. The sculpted fenders protrude confidently from the bodywork, contributing to a muscular yet elegant aesthetic that Ciarcia describes as “a contrast of soft and hard volumes.”

The rear is no less dramatic. A slim, full-width LED light bar runs across the tail, above an active spoiler and aggressive rear diffuser, giving the Ethos both form and implied aerodynamic function. Yet it’s beneath the surface where the concept truly breaks with convention.

Rather than defaulting to an all-electric powertrain—a common trope in today’s concept world—Ciarcia envisions the Ethos as a hydrogen-powered hypercar. His imagined fuel-cell setup would deliver the high-performance thrills expected of a modern supercar, while embracing the promise of clean energy and alternative propulsion. It’s a forward-looking choice that reflects the broader industry’s quest for sustainability without sacrificing speed or soul.

To further sell the fantasy, the Ethos is rendered in an elegant Champagne finish and staged against the storied backdrop of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como. It’s a fitting location, especially as BMW has used the venue in recent years to debut such exclusives as the Skytop (2024), Z4 Touring Coupe (2023), and this year’s Speedtop shooting brake.

When considering the Ethos’s hypothetical competition, Ciarcia envisions it squaring off with the likes of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, Ferrari F80, Aston Martin Valhalla, and Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming all-electric supercar previewed by the Vision One-Eleven. It’s elite company, and the Ethos holds its own stylistically, at least in digital form.

Ciarcia, a graduate of IAAD and a designer with experience at Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rimac, and Volvo, is no stranger to bold concepts. He previously gained recognition for his mid-engined reinterpretation of the iconic Lancia Delta. With the Ethos, he demonstrates once again that he’s among the most talented visionaries shaping the digital design landscape—while BMW’s own future supercar quietly looms on the horizon.

Source: Sebastiano Ciarcia via Instagram

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BMW Ethos Concept Blends M1 Heritage with Hydrogen Hypercar Vision