Camouflaged prototypes of BMW's next X5 M have been photographed and filmed during high‑speed testing at the Nürburgring, giving the clearest early view yet of a markedly different design and BMW's plan to offer the X5 M in both combustion and fully electric forms. Spy photos and a short test video were published at the end of October and in early November 2026.

What the spy images show

The development mules wear heavy camo but reveal a far more aggressive front end than the current X5 M, including oversized kidney shapes and M‑specific vents in the bonnet. The electric prototype shown in the footage has no exhaust outlets and a pronounced roof spoiler; other camouflaged examples filmed nearby carried quad exhausts, indicating BMW is continuing parallel work on a V8 or hybrid X5 M as well. These sightings were captured and published by Autoblog on 31 October and by BMWBlog with a video on 27 October (republished through the week).

Timeline, power and production hints

BMW and the spy photographers place the new X5 M's development on a two‑track path: an M Performance X5 with a V8 is expected to arrive earlier, around 2027, while a dedicated, high‑power electric X5 M is being developed for a 2028 debut. BMWBlog reports the electric prototype could use a quad‑motor layout and has been linked in press reporting to rumours of up to roughly 900 hp for the top electric version, though BMW has not confirmed final figures. The BMWBlog story also states BMW may build the electric X5 M at Spartanburg, South Carolina, with production timings suggested for 2028.

What this means for the market

For Central and Eastern European markets the twin‑path strategy matters for two reasons. First, demand for high‑performance SUVs remains strong in the region's premium segments, so a V8 X5 M arriving in 2027 would sustain sales and margin for BMW's dealer networks. Second, offering an electric flagship X5 M alongside a combustion alternative demonstrates BMW's product strategy to cover both the early EV adopter segment and traditional buyers — an approach that will shape supply planning for dealers and component suppliers across CEE, especially amid local battery and powertrain shifts. These development sightings underline that BMW expects customers across markets to want both options rather than a single‑powertrain bet.

BMW has not released official technical specifications or launch dates; the publicly available spy coverage from 27–31 October 2026 remains the most concrete evidence of the new X5 M's styling direction and multi‑powertrain plan. Automotive outlets reporting the sightings emphasise the prototypes’ different rear and front detailing and note BMW's continued commitment to V8‑powered M models alongside an expanding electric M portfolio.

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Sources: Autoblog, BMWBlog