--- title: "BMW’s Latest Naming Change Ends 50 Years of Tradition" description: "BMW will be dropping the iconic \"i\" from the end of its model names after using it for half a century, to make its names less confusing." date: "2024-05-01" modified: "2024-05-01" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmws-latest-naming-change-ends-50-years-of-tradition" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "3 Series" - "BMW" - "luxury" - "sedan" --- # BMW’s Latest Naming Change Ends 50 Years of Tradition ![]() *BMW* Last year, rumors began to swirl about [BMW]() changing its [naming structure]() to be less confusing with its incoming fleet of electric models. One of the changes teased was to drop the "i" at the end of internal-combustion engine vehicle names. So instead of "BMW 330i," you'd just have "BMW 330." Now we know the rumors are true, as the Bavarians have officially confirmed that the "i" is no more. "Historically, even though our interpretation of BMW i was always different, it’s more innovation, not necessarily only electric, and we historically had injection at the end \[of the badge\], we said, we would like to keep 'i' as an asset, and we would like to keep it as a signature to indicate you’re driving an electric car and that was the logic that we had," Bernd Körber, BMW's Senior VP of Brand Management told *[BMWBlog]()*. BMW has used "i" at the end of its vehicle names since the early 1970s, as it was there to denote the use of fuel injection, back when that was a novel automotive technology. It was a simple, easy-to-understand indicator that whoever was behind the wheel had deep enough pockets to spring for the fuel-injected model. However, after all BMWs switched to fuel injection, the "i" stuck around as more of a tradition than anything else. Then, as BMW expanded its lineup to SUVs and roadsters, things got a bit more confusing, with names like BMW X5 xDrive35i and [BMW Z4]() sDrive35i. ![]() *This is how you'll see "i" from now on. *BMW** When BMW introduced its electric cars, though, things get out of hand, since it insisted that "i" stood for "innovation." Since the famous letter was on both gas and electric cars, it started to lose its significance. Future internal combustion BMW models will be simpler now, with the first number indicating the model and the last two numbers indicating the engine. It's not quite as simple as it used to be back in the golden era of BMWs, as the last two numbers no longer align with its engine displacement, but it's simpler than it has been in recent years. So future internal combustion models will be called things like "BMW 330" and "BMW X320." It won't happen all at once, as the first BMW to drop the "i" will be the next-gen X3, followed by the 1 Series and likely 2 Series Gran Coupe, according to *BMWBlog*. The 7 Series might also drop the letter with its upcoming facelift. So as much as it seems kinda lame that BMW is dropping the iconic "i" from its gas and diesel-powered cars after half a century's worth of fame, it does actually make sense. Plus, it's sort of poetic that the "i" once stood for a useful new technology then, and it stands for a different new technology now. In any case, it's just going to take us all some getting used to. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()