When BMW started introducing modern electric vehicles, it adopted a techy, Apple-inspired naming convention, resulting in names like the i3, i4, iX, and i8.
However, enthusiasts of the brand will recognize that prior to the introduction of these electric models, BMW used the “i” designation to indicate fuel-injected engines in its vehicles. Similarly, the letter “d” is currently used to denote vehicles powered by diesel engines. In recent years, the letter “e” has been used to signify plug-in hybrid models, although it was previously used in past decades on models with gasoline engines optimized for fuel economy, such as the 525e.
Now, fresh reports suggest that BMW may deviate from this naming convention in the future. There are rumors circulating that BMW is considering granting exclusive rights to the letter ‘i’ for its electric vehicles and removing it from the naming structure of its gasoline-fueled vehicles.
That’s according to “ynguldyn,” a noted BimmerPost forum user who frequently leaks insider information. The user claims that the vehicles, such as the BMW X3 xDrive20i, will soon be renamed.
Read: BMW May Rename Its Entire Range For The EV Age According To New Trademarks
In the example of the above crossover, the name would be changed to X3 20 xDrive. Not only will this give BMW’s electric vehicles exclusive access to the letter, it will bring the naming conventions of its internal combustion vehicles in line with the more modern EVs.
The rumor, first reported on by Drive.com.au, follows reports that its “i” vehicles will also get numerical suffixes. For example, BMW trademarked the names i420, i430, and i450. Giving electric vehicles sole access to the i could help make the brand’s names a little less confusing for the average consumer.
For example, if we look at the i4, the full name of a given model is the i4 M50 xDrive. In the future, the X3’s name would look more like that, being called the X3 M50 xDrive. Not all internal combustion vehicles will have such clean names, though.
Diesel vehicles will retain their fuel-based differentiation letter: d. However, the nameplates will be modernized a little. For examples, the X3 diesel could be called the BMW X3 40d xDrive, if the rumor proves accurate. It remains unclear if hybrid vehicles will retain their “e.”
While the i at the front of BMW’s electric vehicle names is used to suggest advanced technology, it suggested something more literal in its gas-powered vehicles. The letter stood for fuel injection, which although very common today, was something worth bragging about back in the ’70s, when it was first introduced to the lineup.
