The Neue Klasse BMW 5 Series Update Will Get A Ton Of Screen Real Estate

It's now reportedly likely that a new passenger screen setup, a third screen dedicated to the front passenger for connectivity, radio control, navigation, and entertainment, could be introduced on the updated model.

The current-generation G60 5 Series will get what BMW calls a Life Cycle Impulse, or LCI, which is basically just a mid-cycle refresh, or the halfway point update that most new cars get in their sales lifetimes. Depending on current sales, these can either be light touches here and there to the exterior and interior, or radical overhauls meant to realign the product. This 5 Series LCI will be the latter, adopting a totally new design language from the current car.

Now, BMW Blog reports the 5 Series LCI will overhaul at least the front row of the interior with more screen real estate than ever offered before. The driver and central display screens are growing, but there will now also be an extended or additional "third" screen set up across from the front passenger seat. BMW's competitors like Porsche and Audi have offered similar integrated 10-to-12-inch screen setups for passengers already, so now BMW wants to catch up.

Not all trims of the newly updated 5 Series are likely to get all the screen real estate on offer. Rather, it will be a premium option, or possibly standard on the range-topping trims. A prototype for a 5 Series LCI Neue Klasse M-model has also been spied, so it could be offered there, but the spy photographer couldn't see inside for any clues. In Porsche's third-screen system, there are dedicated apps and screens to monitor various vehicle performance aspects, which BMW could easily copy for its "Ultimate Driving Machine" cars.

Coming To More Passengers Soon
BMW Blog claims the new screen will be a floating unit that is not quite integrated into the dashboard, similar to the other screens that stretch behind the steering wheel in a giant wall under the windshield. BMW Blog guesses that this new passenger screen technology trickles down to the 3 and 5 Series families of sedans and SUVs, but not any smaller than that. It's more likely to be an option on future EV models from BMW, as it provides additional entertainment options for passengers while the vehicle is potentially parked and charging.

The Neue Klasse design language will also hit the 3 Series sedan, X3 SUV, and X5 SUV by the end of the decade, likely along with the X6 coupe SUV and X7 large SUV, which are also expected to be updated soon. CarBuzz spies have already caught a 7 Series prototype sporting NK design elements, so no BMW model will be immune to the new design philosophy.