The Truth Behind BMW Model Names

Model names have not always been as easy and direct as today. Who could have thought the grand BMW group has its tale regarding the origin of its model names?

A look at BMW’s history reveals this.

It was before the Second World War the model names were created. Aeroplane engines started with 100s then followed by motorcycles were 200s, and only then cars model was given 300s.

The BMW 501, 700, 3200 CS, and 1500 which was a part of the New Class, up to the 02 range, were all popular models until the 60s.

However, a BMW historian came up with an idea to give cars an actual name – BMW Isetta. Isetta was inspired by a combination of refrigerators and mini cars, which look like a three-wheeled car with a huge door. Italian manufacturer Iso Rivolta had the bubble car created with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine at the back.

The group revealed 520i series in the 70s, indicating the “5” is referred to as 5 series, “20” to be the 2.0-litre engine, and “I” as petrol injection thanks to Dr Biss as BMW’s executive who knew the model names needed a more straightforward structure and still be used up until today.

Looking at the M series, the name is preceded by a capital M, which defines the three Seehaus coloured stripes. For example, M340i insists on having M in its model range names to represent the car’s performance. Sporty designs for BMW M models have “competition” included in the model names.

Meanwhile, the xDrive indicates an all-wheel drive and sDrive means either front- or rear-wheel drive. For the 745e model, “45” refers to its engine transmission of 350 kilowatts (402 to 469 horsepower. Then, “e” implies it’s a plug-in hybrid model.  

However, it is different for X and Z models, for example - X5 M50d or X5 M50i. For full M models, such as the BMW X4 M and BMW M4, the latter of which is available in both Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

For Diesel vehicles, the line-ups consist of 'd' suffix that implies SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), SAC (Sports Activity Coupe), or roadster. It has no naming convention, unlike the X or Z model series.

BMW iX is the flagship for electric vehicles produced by BMW, so it carries no series designation in its name. As the latest version of ti or tii series - BMW 128ti, “ti” stands for Turismo Internazionale, which means Touring International Injection.

“The BMW naming strategy must be future-oriented so that the portfolio can have new vehicles added to it and be expanded without losing its logic,” said BMW Group strategic naming for the BMW Brand Daniela Misitano.