BMW emblems level to mannequin identify reshuffle

BMW appears to be like set to observe compatriots Audi and Mercedes-Benz in rejigging its mannequin naming construction as EV adoption picks up tempo.

CarBuzz has found 48 emblems on the German Commerce Mark and Patent Workplace from BMW, which embrace i330, X130, iX220, i340, M350, X330, iX330, and so forth. We’ve included the total listing on the backside of this text.

The submitting appears to point out BMW will deliver the variant naming scheme for its X-branded crossovers and i-branded EVs into line with its conventional mannequin traces, corresponding to the three Sequence and 5 Sequence.

Proper now, for conventional sedan, wagon, hatch, coupe and coupe fashions, the primary quantity signifies the mannequin line, whereas the following two numbers present the relative powertrain output. That is adopted by a suffix to indicate the kind of gas used.

So, the 320i is a 3 Sequence mannequin with a lowly 20-level petrol-powered powertrain, whereas the 330d is a 3 Sequence with a extra highly effective 30-level turbo-diesel engine. Up to now these powertrain numbers have been roughly aligned to the engine’s displacement.

For electrical fashions and crossovers, the mannequin identify and drivetrain designation stand aside. For instance, the X1 sDrive20i is a front-wheel drive 20-level petrol-engined X1, whereas the i4 eDrive35 is an all-wheel drive 4 Sequence with a 35-level EV powertrain.

If BMW makes use of the emblems in its submitting, the drivetrain designation will probably be squashed up proper subsequent to the mannequin identify in all automobiles.

Additionally the i, d and e suffixes to delineate petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains will probably be eradicated. We’re not clear how, or if, BMW will differentiate between these several types of inside combustion powertrains.

The letter ‘i’ will nonetheless be used, however solely as a prefix and will probably be unique to EV variants.

Utilizing the above examples, the X1 sDrive20i will turn into the X120, whereas the i4 eDrive30 will probably be rebranded because the i430, and the 320i will turn into simply the 320.

It appears as if the sDrive and eDrive names will disappear, though we suspect the xDrive branding will reside on to point the presence of all-wheel drive.

It’s unclear what’s going to occur with the variant naming for the iX and XM crossovers, and Z4 roadster as there aren’t any filings for these mannequin traces.

We’re uncertain when BMW intends to make use of its new mannequin naming construction, however generational changeovers and mid-life facelifts would appear to be the pure time. There may be, after all, an opportunity BMW received’t make any adjustments.

The quickening EV revolution has caught all legacy automakers on the hop, not solely on a product and manufacturing planning entrance, but additionally car naming entrance.

Audi bosses confirmed the opposite week it’s going to use even numbers for EVs, with odd numbers for ICE automobiles, that means the petrol-powered A4 will turn into the A5 with the following technology.

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly contemplating dropping the EQ sub-brand from 2024 because it transitions to turning into an all-electric model in some elements of the world.