A Tiny Facelift Is Coming For BMW’s 2021 M5 Super Sedan

The sixth generation BMW M5 is getting a facelift, similar to the regular 5-Series model that was unceremoniously revealed in leaked official images recently, three years after production of the super sedan commenced.

Spied running hot laps around the Nurburgring this week, the 2021 BMW M5 prototype wears the psychedelic vinyl stickers on both ends that hide the visual changes. But before we get into details, allow us to point out that we don’t think it’s the slightly hotter and more focused CS as it lacks the prominent rear boot spoiler and carbon fiber rooftop seen on both the undisguised M5 CS prototype we saw last year and more recently, the camo’d tester in Germany (linked below).

As we’ve seen on the regular 5-Series LCI (BMW talk for mid-cycle facelift)Don’t expect anything dramatic in the design department, as the German auto firm has played it safe. First thing’s first, the super sedan won’t feature an oversized grille, which is always a good thing. As for the actual updates, we can see that beyond the new angled grille vanes, it sports new headlights with a different lighting signature and a bumper with reshaped and larger air intakes.

The power domes on the hood carry over and the boot lid continues to sport a thin spoiler on the regular M5. The diffuser appears to be new and retains the cutouts on each side for the double exhaust pipes. We can expect a new bumper and likely new taillights with a more modern pattern.

Don’t look for anything major inside either, as BMW is believed to have kept the updates limited to new trims and colors, plus new technology gear and a revised infotainment system.

Under the hood, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 will soldier on, although it’s not know yet if it will welcome any modifications, be that for power or for fuel economy and emissions. The V8 produces 592 HP (600 PS / 441 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque in the current M5, allowing it to sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds. In the M5 Competition, it puts out 617 HP (625 PS / 450 kW) for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 3.3 seconds.

As noted before, besides the regular M5 and the more powerful M5 Competition, the series will also welcome a CS variant as well.

The facelifted 2021 M5 is expected to be revealed in the second half of the year with sales to follow shortly after.