BMW trademarks point to model name reshuffle

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

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

The submitting appears to indicate BMW will convey the variant naming scheme for its X-branded crossovers and i-branded EVs into line with its conventional mannequin strains, akin 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 gasoline 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 had 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 logos in its submitting, the drivetrain designation shall be squashed up proper subsequent to the mannequin identify in all autos.

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

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

Utilizing the above examples, the X1 sDrive20i will grow to be the X120, whereas the i4 eDrive30 shall be rebranded because the i430, and the 320i will grow to be simply the 320.

It appears as if the sDrive and eDrive names will disappear, though we suspect the xDrive branding will dwell 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 strains.

We’re not sure 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, in fact, an opportunity BMW gained’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 in addition automobile naming entrance.

Audi bosses confirmed the opposite week it is going to use even numbers for EVs, with odd numbers for ICE autos, that means the petrol-powered A4 will grow to be the A5 with the following era.

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