Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
BMW M5 Touring Retouched for '28 Model Year
Originally spotted with a decidedly Neue Klasse front end, the '28-model-year M5 facelift has reverted to a more conventional aesthetic with only a hint of Neue Klasse in its design. Pictured in Touring specification, the mid-cycle refresh debuts a pair of slimmer headlight clusters and kidney grilles.
Emphasizing width, the new front end also integrates a different lower fascia with multiple vertical sections for the air intakes. The wagon-bodied prototype in these pictures also shows the quad exhaust peeking through a resculpted bumper. There will be new taillights as well, and similar to the front units the signature lighting also emphasizes width.
Given the extensive interior camouflage, the Bavarian automaker is most likely adapting the iX3’s infotainment system and Panoramic Vision setup for internal-combustion models. Panoramic Vision is a projection system that uses the entire width of the lower windshield to create a digital space for both the driver and the front passenger.
BMW Operating System X with Panoramic Vision will also lead to the elimination of the iDrive controller in favor of a voice- and touch-first interface along with more advanced steering wheel controls. The interior redesign should further include a larger and better integrated central touchscreen display along with an optional 3D head-up display. There is also talk of an optional passenger display.
Beyond the tech-heavy makeover, the interior is also expected to lean more heavily into premium trim pieces and materials. Preliminary information suggests that production of the M5 Touring will continue into mid-2032 with V8 power. For the first model year of the facelift, new exterior colors are reportedly in the works as well.
S68 is BMW’s code name for the 4.4L engine of the M5 Sedan and M5 Touring, an engine that recently lost a few horsepower in preparation for Euro 7 regulations. The S68 used in US-market vehicles has not lost any power. In Europe, however, BMW and the M division have introduced new electric drive and battery software that makes up for the lost internal combustion muscle. The G90 sedan and G99 wagon produce a combined 717 hp and 738 lb.-ft. of torque in their current iterations, with BMW claiming 3.5 seconds for the sprint from zero to 62 mph. When properly optioned both can reach a top speed of 190 mph.
Refined Rather Than Reinvented: Facelift for Jeep Avenger
Besides a few long-distance detail shots, these are the first clear images of a prototype for the facelifted Jeep Avenger. The refreshed model is expected to reach the market next year, although Jeep has not yet announced an official debut date. Most sources point to 2027 as the most likely timeframe, considering the model’s life cycle and the advanced stage of road testing. Interest around this facelift remains high, especially since the Avenger has proven to be a major commercial success across Europe.
A closer look at the camouflaged prototype suggests a fairly conservative update. The test vehicle spotted on public roads points to a light refresh rather than a radical redesign. The changes appear limited to specific details such as the bumpers, lighting signature and internal elements of the headlights. The body shape and proportions remain largely unchanged. All in all, the makeover will consist of subtle but carefully planned updates aimed at refreshing the look without altering the model’s identity.
This approach aligns well with Jeep’s strategy. The brand intends to preserve the recognizable character of a model that already enjoys strong customer approval while making targeted improvements to keep it up to date with current standards. The facelift therefore seems designed to refine rather than reinvent.
It comes as no surprise that the Avenger continues to attract attention from designers and enthusiasts alike. The model now plays a key role in Stellantis’ European lineup. Production takes place at the Tychy plant in Poland alongside the Fiat 600 and Alfa Romeo Junior, and among the three the Avenger recorded the strongest sales figures in 2025.
More details will likely emerge in the coming months, both in terms of design and technical updates. At that point, Jeep should also clarify when it plans to officially unveil the refreshed Avenger and which changes will accompany the debut of one of its most successful recent models.
