The concept itself joined a growing list of recently introduced vehicles with divisive styling. Among them are the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, which has moved into the electric segment, the Ferrari Luce EV, and BMW’s own M Neue Klasse Concept, a model intended to preview a future zero-emission M3.

Opinions on BMW’s newest design vary widely. Some observers see a forward-looking performance sedan, while others question whether the shape deserves the famous M badge. Regardless of which side of the debate you fall on, the concept has attracted attention. Unsurprisingly, digital artists have already started experimenting with alternative interpretations.

One of the latest comes from social media creator @rob-zom_b. Instead of changing body panels or inventing a future production version, the artist chose a different direction. The project imagines the concept after years of neglect, as if it had been parked and forgotten long before reaching collector status.

The exterior receives a full aging treatment. Dust covers much of the bodywork. Bird droppings appear on the front hood. The BMW roundels normally found at the front and rear are missing. Spiderwebs stretch across portions of the vehicle, while dried leaves have collected around the wheel arches and tires. Additional dirt scattered across various components reinforces the abandoned appearance.

The same theme continues inside. The main display screen is shown cracked. Dust and grime cover surfaces throughout the cabin, creating the impression of a vehicle left untouched for years. Even the center armrest between the front seats shows visible wear. The leather upholstery appears damaged as well, and traces of dirt are visible across the bucket seats.

Interestingly, this is not the first digitally aged concept associated with the same artist. A similarly weathered Ferrari Luce EV appeared recently, and both projects belong to a broader portfolio featuring several automotive interpretations.

The result is unusual because the BMW M Neue Klasse Concept has barely entered public discussion. Most renderings attempt to predict future variants, production models, or performance derivatives. This one moves in the opposite direction, imagining what the electric sports sedan might look like after decades of abandonment.

Whether viewers find the concept attractive or controversial, the rendering offers a completely different perspective on one of BMW’s newest performance-focused studies.

BMW M Concept Neue Klasse Renderings

The car did not appear through an official Mansory announcement. Instead, the images surfaced on Wheels Boutique’s Instagram account. The wheel specialist described the sedan as “gorgeous” and stated it was “commissioned by our friends @exoticshunter.” According to the same post, Mansory supplied the body conversion while the wheel package came from HRE.

The project centers around a set of forged monoblock HRE L108M wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. Buyers looking at the same wheel design face a substantial bill. The smallest available size measures 21 inches, with pricing beginning at $4,875 per wheel. A complete set therefore starts at no less than $19,500 before tires enter the equation. HRE also lists the design in 23-inch and 24-inch diameters and sells multiple finish options.

Body modifications remain visible from every angle. The Phantom receives a redesigned lower front bumper section, a chin spoiler, side skirt extensions, and a ducktail spoiler at the rear. Mansory branding appears throughout the exterior. The overall approach avoids excessive visual clutter, though nobody would mistake this limousine for a factory-standard example.

Color selection changes the car’s character as much as the hardware itself. Black covers the upper sections of the body while silver occupies the lower areas. The suspension sits lower than stock, pulling the large sedan closer to the pavement and altering its proportions in a noticeable way.

Interior details remain difficult to evaluate because available photographs reveal little of the cabin. No visible evidence points toward extensive changes inside. Then again, Rolls-Royce already provides an enormous catalog of factory personalization choices, so additional modifications were never a requirement.

Performance figures are another area where information remains limited. The available material does not mention engine upgrades or tuning work beneath the hood. For reference, a standard Rolls-Royce Phantom leaves the factory with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 producing 563 bhp, equal to 420 kW or 571 ps. Torque reaches 664 lb-ft, which corresponds to 900 Nm.

This build focuses on appearance rather than confirmed mechanical enhancements. Whether the result fits traditional old-money tastes depends entirely on the viewer. What is beyond debate is the scale of the transformation. Between the two-tone finish, the lowered ride height, the Mansory bodywork, and the costly HRE wheels, this Phantom projects a different personality from the one that left Goodwood.

Rolls-Royce Phantom by Mansory – Photo Gallery

The matchup pairs Audi’s latest RS 5 Sedan with BMW’s new i3, though neither appears in standard form. The creator places the two compact executive performance cars side by side after extensive visual modifications, creating an unusual comparison between a combustion-based plug-in hybrid and an electric newcomer.

Audi’s side of the story stretches back to July 2024. At the time, company leadership reshuffled naming conventions by assigning even numbers to e-tron electric models and odd numbers to combustion-powered vehicles. As part of that plan, the third-generation A4, A5, S5, RS 5 Sedan, and RS 5 Avant effectively replaced the outgoing A4 family. The coupe and cabriolet disappeared from the lineup, leaving the Sportback as the remaining member of the A5 range. Audi later expanded the family with the A5L sedan for China and the A5L Avant station wagon. Then, in February 2026, the fifth-generation RS 5 arrived globally in liftback and Avant form.

Power comes from an updated 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 working together with an electric motor and battery pack. Combined output sits near 630 horsepower, while torque reaches 609 lb-ft.

BMW’s path looks more straightforward. The i3 serves as the first production representative of the Neue Klasse design philosophy and rides on a dedicated electric vehicle architecture. The model debuted in March 2026, only weeks after the new RS 5. Although BMW has not introduced an M version, the company has repeatedly hinted at performance levels associated with traditional supercars.

For the Audi interpretation, the artist applies a Satin Dark Blue finish accented by red details on the brake calipers and seatbelts. A dramatic widebody conversion changes the proportions considerably. Inside, a full roll cage reinforces the track-focused character. Large round exhaust outlets remain visible at the rear, a reminder of the V6 powertrain beneath the sheet metal. Brushed Aluminum HRE Wheels FF10 complete the package.

The BMW receives its own imagined “M CSL” identity. Finished in Pearl White Satin, the electric sedan gains blue highlights and contrasting black trim pieces. Pale gold Brixton Forged Y-spoke wheels sit at each corner, while the front end adopts yellow LED lighting and a CSL-inspired hood treatment.

Neither machine exists outside the digital world. Still, the contrasting approaches make for an interesting visual battle between Audi’s latest plug-in hybrid performance sedan and BMW’s emerging electric direction.

BMW i3 M CSL vs Audi RS 5 Sedan Renderings

This X7 looks like it has been finished in a classic red BMW Individual shade – Melboune Red Metallic. The example here is the 523 hp/553 lb-ft of torque M60i model that features a mild hybrid version of the 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8. The SUV has been built to the requisite muscle standards, but with performance not being the main interest on the agenda here.

The main change comes from the wheels. Vossen fitted the SUV with GEN-04 three-piece aftermarket wheels, measuring 24 inches. Their brushed face and lips create the visual connection some commenters made with Alpina-style designs. The wheels also feature black floating center caps, which add contrast against the bright body color. Look closer, and the light blue brake calipers become part of the same visual story, giving the setup another small but clear BMW-adjacent cue.

The X7 already sits at the top of BMW’s 7 Series-based SUV family, and the current version gained its striking front-end design after the 2022 mid-cycle refresh. It also keeps the practical part of the formula intact, with three rows of seating. That matters here, because the appeal of this type of build is not limited to a weekend toy. It remains a full-size premium crossover SUV capable of carrying a family, kids, grandparents, and luggage included.

The article also places this BMW in a wider context of high-riding premium machines. It mentions the Ford Bronco Filson, due in early 2027, and the Audi Nuvolari, expected during the second part of next year if units remain available. The Bronco Filson will be capped at 499 units, and the Blue Oval targets a price of around $70k. The Audi Nuvolari is listed at 600k euros in Germany.

For those who prefer a different large SUV flavor, Vossen also has a Land Rover Range Rover SV fitted with three-piece LC3-05 aftermarket wheels. In that case, the red details move to the non-floating center caps, where a red-background Vossen logo appears. This red BMW X7 M60i takes the louder route, though. The color, the wheel design, and the brake calipers work together without turning the SUV into a full custom build.

After installation, players can access different interior colors, various materials and several steering wheel designs. There are a number of modifications inside the coupe, such as the dashboard, center console, doors and seats. Materials range from Alcantara to leather and diamond-pattern leather upholstery. This will give you more options in terms of your cab configuration compared to the factory configuration.

Some choices are more unusual than others. Seat customization extends beyond the factory equipment already fitted to the car. Users may retain the original seats, swap in BMW M5 CS seats, or install GR-GT seats. Within the game, these changes appear under what is presented as a rollcage upgrade. A small detail, perhaps, though an interesting one.

Steering wheel selection follows a different route. Players who install the weight-reduction upgrade unlock additional wheel designs. One option retains the original BMW M4 steering wheel. Beyond that, the menu includes a BMW M5 CS steering wheel, along with alternatives from SPARCO and OMP. Every adjustment takes place through the BMW M4 Coupe upgrade interface, keeping the process contained within a familiar part of the game.

Smidgee, whose name is already associated with numerous Forza Horizon 5 projects, states that all modifications function together without conflicts. Installation involves downloading the files and moving them into the correct Forza Horizon 6 directory. Additional guidance is available through a tutorial video hosted on the mod page.

If the game crashes after installation, the article points toward an incorrect folder placement as the likely cause. In such cases, users are advised to remove the files and repeat the procedure while closely following the instructions. Simple enough. At least in theory.

No announcement has been made regarding which vehicles might receive similar treatment next. Expanding this level of customization across multiple cars would require extensive work, especially if each model receives several interior combinations.

One example mentioned in the article involves fitting Toyota GR GT seats inside a BMW. An unexpected pairing, yet one that reportedly works well visually. Most significantly, they introduce new content to Forza Horizon 6 and provide extra customization choices outside of those offered within the base game. For the time being, however, you will only be able to use this on a PC, as the files will need to be downloaded, extracted from a zip, copied into the game folder, and then you will get the changes.

The German manufacturer plans to combine its own engineering knowledge with the French company’s model-training capabilities in an effort aimed at safety development, simulation work, and software engineering.

The project centers on what BMW describes as Large Industry Models. Unlike general-purpose systems trained on information gathered from across the internet, these tools will learn from engineering datasets tied directly to vehicle development and safety research. BMW believes such an approach makes the models more useful for specialized technical work where broader AI platforms often struggle.

One area stands out immediately: crash simulation.

BMW conducts thousands of virtual crash tests every week and has built an archive exceeding one petabyte of crash-related information. The company equates that figure to more than 1,000 terabytes of data. Engineers use this material to study how structures, components, and different materials behave during an impact, as well as how much influence each element has on the final result.

The cooperation with Mistral AI aims to improve the quality, speed, and precision of complex engineering processes. BMW intends to feed its extensive engineering records into an industrial AI model trained specifically for technical applications rather than consumer-focused tasks.

According to the automaker, the initiative will not create an immediate change for current BMW owners. Instead, the expected benefit lies in future value creation through improved development methods and more efficient engineering workflows.

Mistral AI chief revenue officer Marjorie Janiewicz described the agreement as an example of how industry-focused AI models help address demanding engineering problems, including crash simulation work. She stated that industrial AI represents a new stage in artificial intelligence development and highlighted the collaboration with BMW Group as an important application of those tools.

The effort extends beyond safety simulations.

BMW already relies on artificial intelligence in coding and software development. Tasks that previously consumed an entire day now take only minutes, according to comments attributed to BMW development director Joachim Post last year. He also said the company requires fewer personnel resources than in the past because AI has improved efficiency across several areas.

Software development appears to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Post explained that AI has accelerated coding work substantially, helping BMW increase development speed throughout broader vehicle programs.

If the strategy delivers the results BMW expects, future models may reach production following a development process shaped increasingly by specialized artificial intelligence rather than traditional engineering methods alone.

BMW brought the brand-new Vision BMW Alpina Concept to the Concorso d`Eleganza Villa d`Este last week, the German-based carmaker announcing some important changes in its future electric lineup.

Recently, the model in question was already highlighted in some renderings, the concept losing its hard top and revealing an extremely appealing body style.

The concept introduced a shape far removed from Neue Klasse styling. Some readers praised that decision immediately.

Instagram creator @uygarspots published a digital convertible interpretation based on the Vision BMW Alpina Concept, replacing the fixed roof with an open-top layout while keeping the original proportions intact. The result looks cleaner than many expected. Maybe cleaner than BMW intended, honestly. The pointed front fascia survives untouched, as do the thin lighting elements stretching across the bodywork.

The roof itself appears to use a fabric construction rather than a folding metal arrangement. That detail matters because the article points toward a lower center of gravity and improved cornering balance compared with heavier retractable systems. Reinforcement beneath the chassis would still add mass over the coupe version, though the rendering suggests the trade feels worthwhile.

And despite appearances, the car sits far from compact territory. The Vision BMW Alpina stretches 204.7 inches, or 5,199 mm, from bumper to bumper. BMW positions the concept between the 5 Series and the flagship 7 Series, which explains the long profile and oversized rear section. With the top folded behind the back seats, the proportions start resembling an old-school grand tourer more than a futuristic concept car.

Nobody outside BMW appears certain about the production formula yet. Some observers continue predicting an SUV because luxury crossovers dominate sales across the segment. Others still expect a traditional road-focused machine carrying Alpina’s historic character into the electric age. The article leans toward the second idea, largely because dedicated Alpina buyers usually gravitate toward refined touring cars rather than tall utility vehicles.

Powertrain details remain undisclosed. Even so, the report links the concept to BMW’s familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, potentially tied to the plug-in hybrid system from the newest M5. If BMW heads down that path, output would reach 717 horsepower alongside 738 pound-feet, or 1,100 Nm, of torque. Current M5 performance figures include 3.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph for the Sedan and 3.5 seconds for the Touring wagon.

Vision BMW Alpina Cabrio Renderings

Digital artists wasted little time responding.

Several unofficial interpretations already surfaced online, and one of the latest arrived from Instagram creator @sugardesign_1. The rendering takes design themes from the Vision BMW Alpina Concept and applies them directly onto the BMW X5, creating a speculative Vision BMW Alpina XB5 Concept. According to the source material, followers pointed out traces of Genesis and Maserati influences in the result, though the artist reportedly did not intend such similarities.

The project stays rooted in the X5’s proportions, though the front and rear areas borrow heavily from the Lake Como show car. Up front, the rendering adopts the angular bumper treatment, a revised kidney grille layout, and BMW’s split-headlamp arrangement paired with slim daytime running lights. The rear section follows the same approach through double taillights and a redesigned bumper setup. A few smaller exterior details also mirror the concept car’s appearance.

Curiously, one famous Alpina trademark did not make the transition. The CGI SUV lacks Alpina’s signature wheel design, something the original article openly criticizes. Honestly, the rendering does feel slightly incomplete without them.

Inside, the imagined XB5 would continue the same cabin philosophy shown by the Vision BMW Alpina Concept. The proposed setup includes the identical infotainment display, a passenger-side screen, and a pillar-to-pillar display stretching across the base of the windshield. The dashboard layout, center console, and four-spoke steering wheel would also carry over into this fictional production-minded interpretation.

There is another interesting detail buried in the discussion. In an ideal scenario, according to the source, the rendered crossover would also inherit the concept car’s V8 engine, though no technical specifications for that powertrain were provided.

BMW’s acquisition of Alpina enters the conversation too. The first production vehicle developed under Alpina expertise following the BMW Group acquisition is scheduled for 2027, and the article suggests the Vision BMW Alpina Concept previews what lies ahead. Because of that timing, the idea of future BMW crossovers adopting similar styling no longer feels entirely unrealistic.

For now, though, the Vision BMW Alpina XB5 Concept exists strictly in digital form. Still, the rendering paints a fairly clear picture of where an Alpina-influenced X5 direction might head during the next few years.

Vision BMW Alpina Concept Renderings

Interestingly, BMW handled the latest 7 Series differently. The sedan received another update instead of a completely new generation, even while avoiding the Neue Klasse styling direction. The X7 follows another route entirely. According to the renderings, BMW plans to retain several design cues introduced on the facelifted model, especially around the lighting layout.

The front section changes noticeably. Thin daytime-running lights stretch wider across the upper fascia, while the primary lamps move into upright bumper sections beneath them. The arrangement looks more vertical than before. BMW’s kidney grille grows again, too, becoming taller and broader at the same time. Lower down, the air intake spans nearly the entire width of the bumper, though the opening gains extra height.

Viewed from the side, the SUV adopts a smoother shape with fewer sharp interruptions along the body. Hidden door handles help simplify the profile. Larger side mirrors appear in the renderings as well, while the roof rails blend into the upper structure more quietly than before. Small detail, though the cleaner silhouette changes the vehicle’s personality quite a bit.

Rear styling follows the same direction. The taillights extend deeper into the tailgate and appear larger overall. BMW also relocates the license plate onto the bumper. A roof-mounted spoiler remains part of the package, and BMW roundels continue appearing on the nose, rear section, and wheels.

The article suggests the production model should debut around 2027. Once the SUV reaches the United States market, buyers will likely know the vehicle as a 2028 model-year entry. Rivalry in the segment continues against vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Cadillac Escalade, and the future Audi Q9.

One other point surfaced in the report. BMW dealers in America reportedly continue asking for something even larger than the X7. Because of those requests, BMW appears interested in launching another flagship SUV called the X9. The proposed model would sit above the X7 and target oversized luxury SUVs, including the Cadillac Escalade.

Timing for the X9 still looks early, though the article mentions a possible arrival during the second half of 2027. If so, the next-generation X7 and BMW’s larger flagship SUV might reach public view around the same period.

2028 BMW X7 Renderings

At first glance, the exterior avoids the Neue Klasse look almost entirely. The front section uses a V-shaped nose together with a redesigned interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille. Thin daytime-running lights sit between the hood and bumper, while the primary headlamp units occupy lower recesses. The bumper itself uses sharp lines and integrates an apron section with Alpina lettering placed centrally.

Some familiar Alpina details remain easy to spot. The hood carries the BMW roundel in a prominent position, and the wheel design follows the company’s traditional style. Along the sides, hidden door handles appear alongside camera-based mirrors, replacing conventional units. The low roofline gives the study proportions closer to a BMW 8 Series Coupe than a typical large sedan. Wide rear arches add visual weight, too.

The rear section takes a restrained approach. A large back window flows into a compact trunk lid, while the taillights stay extremely slim and separated rather than connected across the tailgate. Lower down, the diffuser integrates openings for four circular exhaust outlets. The shape stays clean overall. Maybe too clean for some people.

Inside, the Neue Klasse influence returns. BMW fitted an ultra-wide display running pillar-to-pillar near the base of the windshield, together with an infotainment layout similar to the systems previewed in the BMW iX3 and i3 Sedan. There is also a passenger-side screen. The steering wheel uses a four-spoke layout, which already appeared in several recent BMW concepts.

The cabin carries a layered dashboard structure filled with ambient-light strips. A long center console stretches from the dashboard area toward the rear compartment, dividing the two rear seats. Upholstery and trim pieces appear unique to this study.

One detail removes any doubt about the powertrain direction. The Vision BMW Alpina uses four exhaust tips, and leaked imagery from beneath the hood points toward an internal-combustion setup. The article itself states the exact engine remains unknown, as does any possible electrified assistance. Still, the report references a V8 configuration and mentions BMW’s 4.4L TwinPower Turbo unit as a likely candidate.

The full reveal arrives within hours anyway, so unanswered questions will not last long.

2026 Vision BMW Alpina Concept – Photo Gallery