List of BMW vehicles explained

The following is a list of BMW automobiles and motorcycles, ordered by year of introduction.

Current production models

Model		Calendar year introduced	Current model	Vehicle description
			Introduction		Update/facelift
	1 Series	2004	2024	–	C-segment/Subcompact executive hatchback.
	2 Series	2014	2021	2024	C-segment/Subcompact executive coupé
	2 Series Gran Coupé	2020	2020	Est. 2024	C-segment/Subcompact executive fastback sedan.
	2 Series Active Tourer	2014	2021	–	Two-row compact MPV.
	3 Series	1975	2018	2022	D-segment/compact executive sedan and wagon.
	4 Series	2014	2020	2024	D-segment/compact executive coupé, convertible and liftback.
	5 Series	1972	2023	–	E-segment/executive sedan and wagon.
	7 Series	1977	2022	Est. 2026	F-segment/full-size luxury sedan.
	8 Series	1990	2018	2022	Grand tourer coupé and convertible & E-segment/executive fastback sedan
	X1	2009	2022	Est. 2024	C-segment/subcompact luxury crossover SUV.
	X2	2018	2023	–	C-segment/subcompact luxury crossover coupé SUV.
	X3	2003	2024	-	D-segment/compact luxury crossover SUV
	X4	2014	2018	2021	D-segment/compact luxury crossover coupé SUV
	X5	1999	2019	2023	E-segment/mid-size luxury crossover SUV.
	X6	2008	2020	2023	E-segment/mid-size luxury crossover coupé SUV.
	X7	2018	2018	2022	F-segment/full-size luxury SUV.
	XM	2022	2022	–	Plug-in Hybrid F-segment/full-size luxury crossover SUV.
	Z4	2003	2018	2022	Two-seat roadster part of the Z line of sports cars
	i3 (G28)	2022	2022	–	China only D-segment/compact executive electric sedan.
	i4	2021	2021	–	D-segment/compact executive electric liftback.
	i5	2023	2023	–	E-segment/executive electric sedan and wagon.
	i7	2022	2022	–	F-segment/full-size electric luxury sedan.
	iX1	2022	2022	–	C-segment/subcompact electric luxury crossover SUV
	iX2	2023	2023	–	C-segment/subcompact electric luxury crossover coupé SUV
	iX3	2020	2020	2021	D-segment/compact electric luxury crossover SUV
	iX	2021	2021	Est. 2025	E-segment/mid-size electric luxury crossover SUV.

Discontinued vehicles

Production cars

Model series	Years	Vehicle class
	1927–1932	Economy car
	1932–1934	Compact car
	1933–1937	Compact car
	1936–1940	Roadster
	1936–1941	Mid-size luxury car
	1937–1941	Grand tourer
	1937–1938	Mid-size luxury car
	1938–1941	Mid-size luxury car
	1939–1941	Full-size luxury car
	1945–1950	Mid-size luxury car
	1945–1946	Mid-size luxury car
	1946–1955	Grand tourer
	1949–1955	Full-size luxury car
	1952–1962	Mid-size luxury car
	1953–1962	Microcar
	1956–1959	Grand tourer
	1956–1959	Roadster
	1959–1965	Compact car
	1962–1965	Grand tourer
	1962–1972	Mid-size luxury car
	1965–1969	Grand tourer
	1966–1977	Compact executive car
	1968–1975	Grand tourer
	1968–1977	Full-size luxury car
	1972–1981	Mid-size luxury car
	1975–1983	Compact executive car
	1976–1989	Grand tourer
	1977–1987	Full-size luxury car
	1978–1981	Sports car
	1981–1988	Mid-size luxury car
	1982–1994	Compact executive car
	1986–1994	Full-size luxury car
	1987–1996	Mid-size luxury car
	1989–1991	Roadster
	1989–1999	Grand tourer
	1990–2000	Compact executive car
	1994–2001	Full-size luxury car
	1995–2002	Roadster and coupé
	1995–2003	Mid-size luxury car
	1998–2006	Compact executive car
	1999–2006	Mid-size luxury SUV
	2000–2003	Roadster
	2001–2008	Full-size luxury car
	2002–2008	Roadster, coupé
	2003–2010	Mid-size luxury car
	2003–2010	Grand tourer
	2003–2010	Compact luxury SUV
	2004–2013	Hatchback, coupé, convertible
	2005–2013	Compact executive car
	2006–2013	Mid-size luxury SUV
	2008–2014	Mid-size luxury SUV
	2008–2015	Full-size luxury car
	2009–2016	Roadster
	2009–2015	Sub-compact luxury SUV
	2010–2017	Mid-size luxury car
	2011–2018	Grand tourer
	2011–2017	Compact luxury SUV
	2011–2019	Subcompact car
	2011–2020	Compact executive car
	2013–2022	Subcompact car (electric)
	2013–2020	Compact executive car
	2013–2021	Subcompact car
	2013–2018	Mid-size luxury SUV
	2014–2021	Subcompact MPV
	2014–2020	Sports car (hybrid)
	2014–2018	Compact luxury SUV
	2014–2019	Mid-size luxury SUV
	2015–2022	Compact luxury SUV
	2015–2022	Full-size luxury car
	2016–2023	Mid-size luxury car
	2017–2024	Subcompact executive car
	2017–2023	Grand tourer
	2017–2024	Compact luxury SUV
	2018–2023	Compact luxury SUV
	2019–2024	Subcompact car

Motorcycles

BMW Motorrad has produced motorcycles bearing the BMW name since the introduction of the BMW R32 in 1923. Prior to that date it produced engines for other manufacturers' motorcycles.

Present day

• BMW F650GS & F800GS
• BMW F800R
• BMW F800S K1200LT
• BMW K1300GT
• BMW K1300R
• BMW K1300S
• BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL
• BMW S1000RR
• BMW S1000XR
• BMW R nineT
• BMW M1000RR

Nomenclature

Three digit model names

Beginning with the 1972 E12 5 Series, most BMW automobiles (except for the i Series, X Series and Z Series) have used a model name consisting of three numbers, usually followed by one or two letters.

In this naming system:

• The first number represents the model series^[1]
• The last two digits represent the engine displacement in deciliters (litres divided by 10).^[2]
• The letters provide additional information on the model variant.

Using the examples of the 318is, 125d and 760Li model names:

• 318is means a 3 Series with a 1.8 litre engine, with the "i" meaning a fuel-injected petrol engine and the "s" meaning that sport options are fitted.
• 125d means a 1 Series with a 2.5 litre engine, with the "d" meaning a diesel engine.
• 760Li means a 7 Series with a 6.0 litre, with the "L" meaning a long-wheelbase model and the "i" meaning a fuel-injected petrol engine.

In Germany the model series are referred to by their German pronunciation: Einser ("One-er") for the 1 Series, Dreier ("Three-er") for the 3 Series, Fünfer ("Five-er") for the 5 Series, Sechser ("Six-er") for the 6 Series and Siebener ("Seven-er") for the 7 Series. These are not actually slang, but are the normal way that such letters and numbers are pronounced in German.^[3]

Exceptions

There are various models where the engine size is not as implied by the last two digits, such as when a turbocharged engine is used. For example:

• From 1976 to 1986, various models using a 3.2 litre version of the M30 engine were named 533i, 633i, etc.
• Similarly, from 1987 to 1992, the models using a 3.4 litre version of the M30 engine were named 535i, 635i, etc.
• The 1982 to 1987 models using a 2.7 litre version of the M20 were called the 325e and 525e (528e in the United States).
• The 1980 to 1983 European 745i models used a turbocharged 3.2–3.4 litre engine.
• From 1994 to 1999, models using the 5.4 litre M73 engine were named 750i and 850Ci.
• Similarly, from 1996 to 1999, models using a 4.4 litre version of the M62 engine were named 540i, 740i and 840Ci. From 2001 to 2007, the situation was reversed, because models using a 4.4 litre version of the N62 engine were named 545i, 645i and 745i. Models using a 4.8 litre version of the N62 engine were named 550i, 650i and 750i.
• From 1996 to 2001, the 318i model used a 1.9 litre version of the M44 engine. Then from 2001, the 318i model used 2.0 litre engines. Since 2015, the 318i model has used a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine.
• Since 1995, various models using a 2.5 litre six-cylinder engine have been named 323i and 523i. For the E36, E46 and E39, this was due to the previous 325i/525i models being higher in the model range than the new models, therefore a lower number was used to indicate to customers that it was not a highly equipped model.
• Similarly, from 2007 to 2013, various models using a detuned 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine have been named 125i, 128i, 325i and 528i.
• Also, several diesel models using a 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine during this time were named 325d, 525d, etc.
• The increasing use of turbochargers has resulted in the model name no longer representing the engine displacement.^[4] This began in 2006, when the N54 3.0 litre turbo petrol engine was introduced in the E90 335i model. More recent examples are a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine being used in the 116i and 318i models, and a 3.0 litre turbo diesel engine being used in the 540d and 750d models.

Even for non-turbo engines, the number of cylinders cannot be determined from the model name. For example, the 1987–1991 530i uses a six-cylinder engine, the 1992–1996 530i uses a V8 engine and the 2000–2016 530i uses a six-cylinder engine (to add to the confusion, just prior to the 1992 V8 530i being introduced, the 535i model used a six-cylinder engine).

Letters

The meaning of letters can change between models. The most commonly used letters are:

• d = diesel engine
• i = fuel-injected petrol engine^[5]
• L = long wheelbase – sometimes the L is the first letter (e.g. 750Li), and sometimes it is the last letter (e.g. 750iL).
• td = turbodiesel
• x / xDrive = all-wheel drive – sometimes the x is the first letter (e.g. 325xi), and sometimes it is the last letter (e.g. 325ix)

Other letters include:

• C = coupé/convertible (only used on E24, E46 and E63 models)
• e = eta (from the Greek letter 'η') a model tuned for fuel efficiency, or PHEV versions for later models (E30 325e, G30 530e, G11 740e)
• s/S = sport, this can represent either upgraded interior/cosmetic options or increased engine power depending on the model.
• T = Touring (wagon/estate)
• t = hatchback (only used on some 3 Series Compact models)

X Series and Z Series

Until 2009, the model name for X Series and Z Series vehicles was:

• The engine size in litres
• Followed by an "i" for petrol engines or a "d" for diesel engines

Examples of this naming convention are "X5 3.0d" and "Z3 1.8i".^[6] Sometimes an "s" was added after the engine size for higher performance models (for example, "Z4 3.0si" and "X5 4.8is").

Since 2009, a revised model naming system has been used.^[7] The model names are as follows:

• "sDrive" for rear-wheel drive or "xDrive" for all-wheel drive.^[8]
• Then the nominal engine size in litres divided by 10 (e.g. "25" for a 2.5 litre engine), although many of the anomalies described above also apply here.
• Lastly, "i" for petrol engines or "d" for diesel engines.

Examples of this naming convention are "X3 xDrive28d" and "Z4 sDrive30i". Sometimes an "s" was added at the end for higher performance models (for example, "Z4 sDrive 35is").

BMW M models of X Series and Z Series models typically just have the model name "M" (e.g. X6 M, Z4 M). "M Performance" models have the letter "M" inserted after the series, followed by the rest of the naming convention for the non-M models (e.g. X6 M50d).

M Models

An "M' – for Motorsport – identifies the vehicle as a high-performance model of a particular series (e.g. M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, etc.).^[9] For example, the M8 is the highest performing vehicle in the 8 Series lineup.

Motorcycles

Concept vehicles

See main article: List of BMW concept vehicles.

See also

• List of BMW engines
• List of automobile-related articles

Notes and References

1. Web site: BMW nomenclature and naming system explained. www.crankit.in. 14 September 2017.
2. Web site: BMW Canada website. www.bmw.ca. 14 September 2017.
3. Book: Schmitt, Peter A . Langenscheidt Fachwörterbuch Technik und Angewandte Wissenschaften: Englisch – Deutsch / Deutsch – Englisch . 2nd . Langenscheidt Fachverlag . 2004 . 978-3-86117-233-8.
4. Web site: A Case For BMW's New Naming Scheme. www.kinja.com. 14 September 2017.
5. Web site: BMW models naming convention. www.bmwblog.com. 14 September 2017.
6. Web site: X3 E83 LCI model selection. www.realoem.com. 14 September 2017.
7. Web site: X3 F25 model selection. www.realoem.com. 14 September 2017.
8. Web site: FAQ from the recent BMW Press Conference. www.bmwblog.com. 14 September 2017.
9. Web site: Understanding BMW naming conventions. www.cartelligent.com. 14 September 2017.