BMW Name Changes: Not Just for the X6

Pat H. Feb 27th, 2008 Link

What could they possibly call the Z? There is no xDrive on the Z so nothing even remotely comes to mind. I can see already that this name change in going to be a pain in the a–.

Jon Feb 27th, 2008 Link

Kinda odd, going to have to look into this regulation. Rather on what the politicians are thinking about on this one.

Just goes to prove that once I park that future e89 V8 M in my garage first thing that will happen is a serious de-badging lol.

Eliot R. Feb 27th, 2008 Link

So are we going to see a Z4 ZDrive 3.0si? This new naming convention makes very little sense to me and needs to go away very quickly.

Liam Feb 28th, 2008 Link

‘Due to upcoming U.S. regulations’ … wtf was wrong with X3, X5 etc???

Michael Feb 28th, 2008 Link

I am not sure what lawmakers were thinking but I am sure it is meant to benefit consumers, how and why I am still searching for…

eager2own Feb 28th, 2008 Link

Jon, debadging is the first thing that came to my mind too.

Michael Feb 28th, 2008 Link

eager2own: debadging is the first thing that came to my mind

I think we should already begin a petition to get “debadging” as a factory option like they have it Europe, but I am sure there is some US regulation that prohibits new cars being delivered without the model designation.

You could end up with a lower model and not even know it without that badge…. lol but I could see that being the reason.

BMW Naming Changeup [Industry News] - Jalopnik Feb 28th, 2008 Link

[...] BMW Naming Changeup [Industry News] Because the current alpha-numeric soup is too confusing, BMW is reportedly going to be changing up their name game. But don't get too excited just yet. No, BMW will not be giving their cars real names; the 135i will not be renamed the 'BMW Dual Thruster DeLuxe Junior' and the X5 will not be renamed the 'BMW Fire Turd Momma.' Apparently what BMW thinks we all need is a bit more alpha-numeric confusion. At this point, we would like to explain to you exactly how BMW will be changing things– but we can't make any sense of the explanation. Here's what we've heard: "Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009, we are changing some of our naming protocol. The new naming protocol will affect all products that currently have an engine displacement designation within the name–X3, X5, X6, Z4 and Z4 Coupe." We think that means there will be more models like the 'xDrive35i.' So maybe we should all brace ourselves for the 'BMW M-Power-Drive50i Sedan.' [BimmerFile] [...]

Motor Authority » New BMW model designation system coming in 2009 Feb 28th, 2008 Link

[...] puzzled at the awkward sounding xDrive50i and xDrive35i model designations. Well, the guys over at Bimmerfile have gotten hold of an internal BMW memo, which reveals that this is in fact the bizarre new naming [...]

Jon Feb 28th, 2008 Link

I second that Micheal would be great to have a de-badging option, then again over the years have become somewhat of an expert lol. I would also say that anyone that needs the badge on their car to know what it is deserves being stuck with a Yugo

Dave Feb 29th, 2008 Link

Due to upcoming U.S. regulations in effect for Model Year 2009

And what regulations would those be?

Cambios en la nomenclatura de BMW Feb 29th, 2008 Link

[...] | Motor Authority > BimmerFile En Motorpasión | Nuevo BMW X6, galería de imágenes y [...]

9 Feb 29th, 2008 Link

Zdrive4?
3drive30i?
What are you thinking BMW!?!?!?

Michael Feb 29th, 2008 Link

BMW must have their hands tied with the new regulations. They have to follow the rules but at the same time they do not want to burn the model marketing they have already spent a bunch of money on…. so they have to tweak it a bit. I am sure we will see an evolution over time. It will only affect models with the engine in the name…. X5 3.0i may be called the X5 xDrive30i

illegalprelude Mar 2nd, 2008 Link

so im confused. Does the law say that the engine info have to be in the name? is that the thing?

Drill Mar 5th, 2008 Link

illegalprelude, I believe that the issue is that the engine displacement cannot be a part of the designation. i.e. X6 5.0 must now be the X6 XDrive 50. Perhaps we dumb Americans are supposed to be confused and somehow think that it’s really a 65.0L engine or something?? I’d love to see what the new regulations actually state, but so far Google hasn’t helped me much.

BimmerFile » Archive » BMW X6 Xdrive50i production ready Jul 15th, 2008 Link

[...] These photos are of the high powered (400hp, 450 ft/lbs) twin turbo V8 X6 in production form, badged as the BMW X6 Xdrive50i, (BMW’s name changes) [...]

BimmerFile » Archive » BMW X3 Xdrive30 Jul 15th, 2008 Link

[...] by any account but the name change of the X3 3.0si has been officially confirmed. As we mentioned here several months back BMW will be readjusting their naming schemes due upcoming regulations. So [...]