Ex-BMW Designer Gives the M5 Touring a More Refined, Elegant Makeover with the Bovensiepen 05 GT

Frank Stephenson, the original designer of the BMW X5 and modern Mini, has lent his talents to the Bovensiepen 05 GT, a bespoke take on the BMW M5 Touring. The 05 GT is a performance wagon that blends subtle elegance with mechanical upgrades, positioning itself as a grand tourer rather than a flashy sports car. The project marks Bovensiepen’s first collaboration with Zagato on the M4 Convertible last year and continues the family’s legacy after BMW’s 2022 acquisition of the Alpina brand name—though the Buchloe-based firm now operates independently as Bovensiepen Automobile, supporting existing Alpina vehicles through 2025 while developing new models under its own identity.

The 05 GT’s exterior is refined with a stainless-steel grille, a split rear spoiler, and a body kit designed by Stephenson, who also penned supercars for Ferrari and McLaren. The wheels are new 21-inch forged alloys, and the car rides on Eibach springs with Pirelli tires tuned for comfort. An Akrapovič titanium quad-exhaust system reduces weight by 17.1 pounds (7.8 kg), though the car’s curb weight remains substantial at 5,632 pounds (2,555 kg) in European trim.

Inside, the cabin sticks closely to the M5 Touring’s layout but is lavished with leather, including the center console, offering extensive customization options for upholstery and trim. The powertrain has been significantly upgraded: in addition to the aftermarket exhaust, Bovensiepen has fitted a revised air intake and software, boosting output to 790 horsepower and 811 pound-feet (1,100 Nm) of torque. This contrasts with BMW’s Euro 7-compliant detuning of the M5’s combustion engine in Europe, which reduces its output by 41 horsepower but is offset by an upgraded electric motor, leaving the donor car’s total system output unchanged at 717 horsepower. The 05 GT’s additional 73 horsepower and 74 pound-feet (100 Nm) of torque come at a price—starting at €198,900 in Germany, which is €51,700 more than a base BMW M5 Touring. Deliveries are slated to begin in Q4 of this year.

While the 05 GT channels the spirit of a next-generation Alpina B5 Touring, it’s not an Alpina—it’s a Bovensiepen. The focus is on understated luxury and comfort, with suspension tweaks prioritizing ride quality over outright sportiness. The result is a wagon that feels more like a grand tourer than a hot hatch, even if its plug-in hybrid powertrain leaves some enthusiasts wanting a pure V8 alternative.