BMW Nomenclature: How BMW Names Its Models?

BMW uses complex Alpha-Numeric Nomenclature for its models:

The term ‘BMW’ stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, one of the “German Big 3” luxury automakers. It means Bavarian Motor Works in English. In addition, the BMW nomenclature has adapted complex Alpha-Numerical combinations for its models. As a result, BMW models use a slightly different combination than Audi’s.

In some cases, BMW Nomenclature uses numbers, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, followed by alphabets like “i,” “d,” & “x” for some of its models. In other cases, BMW nomenclature also uses alphabets, such as “M,” “X,” & “Z,” followed by a number in the case of certain models. Therefore, we tried to decode these numbers & alphabets.

BMW Nomenclature has reserved the odd numbers (3, 5, and 7) for 4-door sedans and even numbers (2, 4, 6, and 8) for 2-door coupes and similar cars. As a result, the 1-Series is the smallest and cheapest BMW car available, either as Hatchback or Coupe/Convertible in a 3-door or 5-door option. However, the 8 series is the biggest and costliest BMW Luxury car.

BMW Nomenclature for SUVs:

Furthermore, the letter “M” denotes the MotorSports segment in BMW nomenclature. BMW uses the letter “X” in BMW nomenclature, used for the crossover / SUV body shape. Here, the “X” represents “Cross-over” or a “Four-Wheel-Drive.” Besides, BMW offers five SUVs starting from the X1 to X6. The X1 & X3 are the Compact SUVs, while X4 is a Compact Entry-level and X5 is Mid-Size Luxury SUV. The X6 is a Luxury Sports Activity Vehicle available in Coupe.

Moreover, the letter “Z” in BMW nomenclature represents the “Roadster.” BMW Z4 is a Rear-Wheel Drive Sports car available in a Two-Seater Roadster body shape. The small letter “i” in BMW nomenclature represents electric/hybrid cars. Besides, the i3 is an Urban Electric car, available in a 5-door hatchback shape. However, the i8 is a Plug-in Hybrid Grand Tourer Sports car.

BMW Nomenclature for its Cars Starting with Numbers:

Furthermore, the numbers at the start/beginning represent the “Series” of BMW cars. As a thumb rule, the higher the numeral denotes, the bigger the car.

Brand	Numbers	Letters	Car Type
BMW	1	118i, 118d	Firstly, 1-Series is the smallest Luxury car available as Hatchback or Coupe/Convertible.
	2	218d, 220d, 220i, 225d,	Secondly, 2-Series is a Compact Luxury car available as Coupé and Convertible.
	3	316i, 318i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335is, 335xi, 320d, 320xd, 325d, 330d, 330xd, 335d	Next, 3-Series is an Entry-Level Compact Executive car available as a Saloon (Sedan), Estate (Wagon), Coupé, and Convertible
	4	428i, 435i, 420d, 420i, 420i xDrive, 420d xDrive, 430d, 435d xDrive	Besides, 4-Series is a Compact Executive car available in Coupé, Convertible. Besides, it is also available in Gran Coupe body shapes.
	5	520i, 523i, 528i, 530i, 535i, 518d, 520d, 525d, 530d	Moreover, 5-series is a Mid-size Luxury car available in Sedan, Touring, and Gran Turismo Hatchback body styles.
	6	640i, 650i, 640d	Furthermore, 6-Series is a luxury Grand Tourer car available in Coupe, Convertible & Gran Coupe body shapes .
	7	730d, 740d, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760i, 760Li	7-Series is a Full-size Luxury car available in a 4-door Saloon with a Short & Long Wheelbase and a High-Security body style.
	8	840Ci, 850i, 850Ci, 850CSi, 860i	Besides, 8-Series is a luxury Grand Tourer (Now discontinued) with a higher price tag and better performance.

BMW Nomenclature for its cars starting with Letters:

Furthermore, if BMW used letters at the start/beginning of the model such as “M,” “X,” “Z,” and “i,” they represent the Series. The “M” series denotes the MotorSports segment – the Sports version of existing models. However, the “X” series denotes the Crossover / SUV segment. Moreover, the “i” series indicates Hybrid / Electric technology.

Brand	Letters	Numbers	Car Type
Alpina	B	3 (GT3)	B3-GT3 is a badge-engineered version of the BMW 3 Series 335i. Besides, BMW launched it as a limited edition GT3 by Alpina.
	B	7	Further, B7 is a High-Performance version of the 745i, BMW’s flagship 7-Series under the Alpina brand, with badge engineering.
BMW	M	3	Moreover, M3 Series is a high-performance (Sports) version of the BMW 3-Series earlier available in Coupe, Saloon, and Convertible body styles. However, with BMW’s new nomenclature, the M3 is only available in Sedan shape.
	M	4	Further, M4 is a High-Performance version of the BMW 4-Series Compact Luxury car available in Sports Coupe body shape.
	M	5	Moreover, M5 Series is High Performance (Sports) version of the BMW 5-Series Mid-size Luxury car available in a Sedan body shape.
	M	6	Besides, M6 Series is High Performance (Sports) version of the BMW 6-Series Luxury Sportscar available in Coupe, Convertible & Gran Coupe body shapes.
	X	1	Firstly, X1 is a Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
	X	3	Secondly, X3 is a Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
	X	4	Next, X4 is an Entry-Level Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
	X	5	Further, X5 is a Mid-Size Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
	X	6	Moreover, X6 is a Luxury Sports Activity available in Coupe.
	Z	1, 3, 4, 8, 9	However, Z4 is a Rear-Wheel Drive Sports car available in a Two-Seater Roadster body shape.
	i	3	Besides, i3 is an Urban Electric car available in a 5-door hatchback shape.
	i	8	Next, i8 is a Plug-in Hybrid Grand Tourer Sportscar

Furthermore, some BMW models have letters at the end of the model, such as “i,” “d,” “x,” and “L.”

Besides, these letters provide additional information about the variant.

Letters used at the End of the Model:

SL.	Code	Meaning
1	“C”	This Indicates Coupé in earlier models. However, it denotes Cabriolet in current models.
2	“GT”	Next, Gran Turismo
3	“d”	Indicates car models with diesel engine
4	“e” (eta)	The engine tuned for economy rather than power
5	“h”	Furthermore, a Hydrogen-powered car
6	“i”	injection (fuel-injected engine)
7	“Ci”	Thus, it indicates that it’s a Coupe/Convertible. However, with petrol injected engine
8	“Cd”	Indicates that It’s a coupe, however, with a diesel-powered engine. .
9	“Ci”	This indicates that it’s a 2-door Convertible. However, with petrol injected engine.
10	“iT”	“T” in “iT” stands for “Touring.” Besides, “i” indicates that it has a petrol-injected engine.
11	“t”	It indicates it’s a hatchback.
12	“L”	Long Wheelbase.
13	“M”	It indicates the Sports version of the existing model. For e.g., X5 M, X6 M.
14	“s”	It represents Sport. However, with either upgraded interiors/cosmetic options or increased engine power.
15	“sDrive”	Rear-Wheel Drive car.
16	“T”	Touring (Wagon/Estate) body Shape
17	“td”	Turbo diesel engine
18	“x” / xDrive	BMW xDrive / All-Wheel Drive

Some Examples of Configuration are as below:

Model	First Digit	Last Two Digits X 10	End Letters
	Chassis type / Series	Engine Capacity	Additional information on Variant
320i	3	20	i
	3 Series car	Engine Capacity = 20 X 100 = 2000 cc OR 2.0 Litres	i = Fuel Injection
520d	5	20	d
	5 Series car	Engine Capacity = 20 X 100 = 2000 cc OR 2.0 Litres	Diesel engine
330xi	3	30	xi
	3 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 30 X 100 = 3000 cc OR 3.0 Litres	All-Wheel Drive & Fuel Injection
760Li	7	60	Li
	7 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 60 X 100 = 6000 cc OR 6.0 Litres	Long Wheel Base & Fuel Injection
Z4sDrive23i	Z4 sDrive	23	i
	Z Series Car version 4 with Rear-Wheel Drive	Engine Capacity = 23 X 100 = 2300 cc OR 2.3 Litres	Fuel Injection
524td	5	24	td
	5 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 24 X 100 = 2400 cc OR 2.4 Litres	Turbo Diesel
316g	3	16	g
	3 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 16 X 100 = 1600 cc OR 1.6 Litres	Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
318is	3	18	is
	3 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 19 X 100 = 1900 cc OR 1.9 Litres	Fuel Injection Car with Sports Options
323Ti	3	23	Ti
	3 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 23 X 100 = 2300 cc OR 2.3 Litres	Turismo Internazionale
645Ci	6	45	Ci
	6 Series Car	Engine Capacity = 45 X 100 = 4500 cc OR 4.5 Litres	Coupe / Convertible with fuel injection

BMW Nomenclature For Its Cars:

*** Note: The BMW engine nomenclatures shown here are general examples. There are, however, some exceptions to this convention. For example, the 2007 BMW 328i and the 2007 BMW 335i are 3-Series cars. The 328i has a 2.0L petrol engine, which produces 240 bhp coupled to the 8-speed automatic transmission. However, the 335i has a 3.0-liter petrol engine that produces 300 bhp.

The 335i’s engine is a 3.0L twin-turbocharged. However, the number 35 could possibly translate to the Turbocharged (5) version of the 3.0L engine. Thus, making it 35. So, in that context, could the number 28 in 328i possibly mean that the 2.0L naturally aspirated engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox? Only BMW would know.

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