After decades of adding an ‘i’ to the end of its nomenclature, BMW could be about to flip the script.
BMW could be about to make a change to the way it names its models to create more space for its electric cars.
According to an insider who goes by the name of ‘ynguldyn’ – who is known for revealing future BMW model plans – says the car-maker will soon drop the ‘i’ from the end of badge names given to its petrol-powered models.
BMW introduced the ‘i’ to its model names in the 1970s to differentiate between those using carburettors and those with fuel injection. The latter soon became the norm for BMW vehicles.
In a new BimmerPost forum post, ‘ynguldyn’ says the new-generation 118i hatchback is due to become the 118, while the sporty M135i will change to M135.
However, they added: “It remains to be seen if the same is going to happen with all future models. Watch this space.”
MORE: BMW trademarks model names with echoes of the past
The news comes just weeks after it was revealed BMW had trademarked 43 new model names, in which the ‘i’ had been moved to the start of the badge.
Despite ‘i’ originally standing for fuel injection, ‘BMW i’ branding now represents the company’s electric line-up.
This means the petrol-powered 118 could be sold alongside the battery-powered i120 in the coming years.
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