BMW, known for its distinctive nomenclature, is undergoing a significant shift as it pivots towards electric vehicles (EVs). Traditionally, BMW’s naming convention included using the letter ‘i’ to denote certain characteristics of its models, such as engine type and efficiency. However, with the rise of EVs, the brand is reimagining its naming strategy to better reflect its electric focus.
In the past, BMW used a specific system to categorize its models. The first digit indicated the market segment, while the following two digits represented the engine displacement. The letter at the end denoted the engine technology, such as ‘i’ for gasoline injection, ‘d’ for diesel, and ‘e’ for energy efficiency, now used for hybrids. However, with a growing emphasis on EVs, the ‘i’ is now being used at the forefront of the model series for electric models.
The shift away from using ‘i’ on gasoline cars began with the BMW i3, which marked a change in BMW’s approach. This new convention is evident in all of BMW’s electric vehicles, including the i4, i5, i7, and iX. Moving forward, BMW has confirmed that it will cease using ‘i’ on gas-powered cars, aiming to reduce confusion between electric and traditional models.
Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management, explained the rationale behind this shift: “We would like to keep ‘i’ as an asset, and we would like to keep it as a signature to indicate youâre driving an electric car.” This change is expected to be implemented this year, starting with updates to models like the 1-Series, 2-Series, and the X3.
While BMW’s move to adopt a new designation aligns with its focus on EVs, it’s worth noting that the brand has previously sold models without additional lettering.
