iM3 name rumor denied by BMW M CEO: "We would never use an i on an M"

RichardGM4 · 11-30-2023, 07:06 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/ele...-never-use-i-m

BMW M boss rejects iM3 speculation: “We would never use an i on an M”

Asked if BMW could develop a successor to the i8 (and why not call it the iM1 or Mi for good measure?) Van Meel replied: “No, that will be a Mission Impossible! Actually, we would never use an i on an M, even though it would be electric.

“Because an M3 had a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, eight-cylinder engine; naturally aspirated, turbocharged ones. Now it’s even got an xDrive, but it always remained an M3.

“So if we would ever do something like that, it will always be called an M without an i. Because that’s just the technology, and M is not about technology.

“It’s about a promise, it’s about motorsports, it’s about emotion. It’s not about the drivetrain.”

And as for an electrified supercar specifically, Van Meel said he and his team were “always dreaming about a car like that” but for now, it’s a no. “It’s in our hearts, it’s in our minds. As car guys and car girls, we’re always thinking and trying out cars like that. But I cannot say yes to you.”

edwinm3 · 11-30-2023, 07:20 AM

just here to be the first

Edwardsc1 · 11-30-2023, 07:22 AM

This is great news!

Blindside_137 · 11-30-2023, 07:32 AM

In other words we will make an iM3 someday but it will be called M3

JeetG80x · 11-30-2023, 07:40 AM

No, they will make an M3e

VirtualGuitars · 11-30-2023, 07:49 AM

M3i 😂

Hit_Apex · 11-30-2023, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

I’m other words we will make an iM3 someday but it will be called M3

They’ve already said that. Also, manufacturers often trademark names to prevent others (Kia) from using them. It is cheaper than a lawsuit. The way this forum and psuedo-media ran with assumptions on the iM3 trademark bothered me - glad it’s cleared up.

GOLFFRR · 11-30-2023, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

I’m other words we will make an iM3 someday but it will be called M3

Mr. Ocean · 11-30-2023, 07:53 AM

Good! I don’t think M can take anymore daggers. It’s bad enough the M performance cars are such a strong representation of an M car. We should switch and start calling them competitions.

chicagofan00 · 11-30-2023, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Ocean

Good! I don’t think M can take anymore daggers. It’s bad enough the M performance cars are such a strong representation of an M car. We should switch and start calling them competitions.

How is this a bad thing?

swagon · 11-30-2023, 08:33 AM

just like they said they'd never make a FWD BMW or an M SUV

M3ZCPNYC · 11-30-2023, 08:36 AM

It’s just different OG Bobby Johnson

Dking078 · 11-30-2023, 08:47 AM

"We will never put a forced induction in an M"
"We will never make an X into an M"
"We will never make an automatic for an M"

Sure BMW. Sure

Evinrude1975 · 11-30-2023, 08:50 AM

After the XM, I’m ready for anything

Dantesboyz · 11-30-2023, 08:59 AM

Pshhh
I mean is the moniker really that important to most anyway?

What matters is how it performs, how you feel driving it, the technology it comes with. And if those attributes meet the expectations of the driver.

I feel unless it's a vehicle being purchased for rarity/investment ... it won't be kept pure anyway.
We all love to mod our cars and make them representations of ourselves, our dreams, and capabilities. And I love that we can do those thinfgs. But that really widens the gap of what an M3, or any other model can be.
How many b58's are pulling on S58's because of tuning?
Go back to the e36 M3, it wasn't to significantly different from a 328is (I had both before I realized)

Excluding instances where full overhauls or race car is the plan... To me what matters is the roundel and the engine.
Everything else can be adjusted with bolt on mods and software.

antzcrashing · 11-30-2023, 09:11 AM

I don’t believe you (Anchorman voice)

emulajavi · 11-30-2023, 09:14 AM

The should never use the i at the beginning for anything.

They should stop trying to look modern and Apple-ish but naming their cars i-something. Even Apple stopped calling new products i-something when Steve Jobs passed as a sign of respect for an era.

They just need to keep it simple.

M1/M2/M3/M4/M5/M6/M7

330 for the electric version
330i for gas
330d for diesel
330h for hybrid
M350 for M Performance

And in a couple of years only the 330 and M350 names will remain as all will be electric.

Same for X:

X1M/X2M/X3M/X4M/X5M/X6M/X7M

X330 for the electric version
X330i for gas
X330d for diesel
X330h for hybrid
XM350 for M Performance

And in a couple of years only the X330 and X350M names will remain as all will be electric.

Mako · 11-30-2023, 09:14 AM

Um???? I5 M60

zinner · 11-30-2023, 09:23 AM

how to say something without saying anything is about what this amounts to.

Forzanerazzurri · 11-30-2023, 09:26 AM

Remember when Ferrari said they would never make an SUV.

danniexi · 11-30-2023, 09:40 AM

so yeah, an M3 that is electric will be called an M3. why is this news? the iM3 or whatever moniker rumor was stupid from the start. an M3 will be an M3, BEV or otherwise.

same reason why Porsche has the Taycan "Turbo".

ASAP · 11-30-2023, 09:50 AM

We will never have AWD, automatic trannys or turbo motors... the M3 is meant to be a lightweight enthusiast vehicle without ipad screens.

11-30-2023, 07:06 AM	#1
RichardGM4 First Lieutenant 526 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 M3 CS Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	iM3 name rumor denied by BMW M CEO: "We would never use an i on an M" Featured on BIMMERPOST.com https://www.topgear.com/car-news/ele...-never-use-i-m BMW M boss rejects iM3 speculation: “We would never use an i on an M” Asked if BMW could develop a successor to the i8 (and why not call it the iM1 or Mi for good measure?) Van Meel replied: “No, that will be a Mission Impossible! Actually, we would never use an i on an M, even though it would be electric. “Because an M3 had a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, eight-cylinder engine; naturally aspirated, turbocharged ones. Now it’s even got an xDrive, but it always remained an M3. “So if we would ever do something like that, it will always be called an M without an i. Because that’s just the technology, and M is not about technology. “It’s about a promise, it’s about motorsports, it’s about emotion. It’s not about the drivetrain.” And as for an electrified supercar specifically, Van Meel said he and his team were “always dreaming about a car like that” but for now, it’s a no. “It’s in our hearts, it’s in our minds. As car guys and car girls, we’re always thinking and trying out cars like that. But I cannot say yes to you.” __________________ Current: BMW G80 M3 CS (2024 BSM w/ Bronze/Gold 827M wheels) - BMW G82 M4 Competition xDrive (2022 TBII w/ Silverstone/Black & M Carbon Pack) - BMW F82 M4 Competition (2019 BSM w/ Silverstone)
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11-30-2023, 07:20 AM	#2
edwinm3 Brigadier General 980 Rep 4,001 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Broward iTrader: (32)	just here to be the first __________________ Grigio Telesto M4, 6MT. Coyote 5.0 F-150 991 GT3
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11-30-2023, 07:22 AM	#3
Edwardsc1 Second Lieutenant 251 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 50i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 50i [0.00]	This is great news! __________________ 2015 X5 50i - Current 2011 E92 M3 - Sold 2016 F30 340i - Sold
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11-30-2023, 07:32 AM	#4
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6710 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	In other words we will make an iM3 someday but it will be called M3
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11-30-2023, 07:40 AM	#5
JeetG80x Private First Class 324 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2023 M3CX -Jahre Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0)	No, they will make an M3e
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11-30-2023, 07:49 AM	#6
VirtualGuitars Major General 7861 Rep 5,796 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW XM Label Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW XM Label [10.00]	M3i 😂
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11-30-2023, 07:53 AM	#9
Mr. Ocean New Member 52 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 M60i Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: South Eastern Coastline iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 M8 G93 [8.50] 23 X7 M60i [9.00]	Good! I don’t think M can take anymore daggers. It’s bad enough the M performance cars are such a strong representation of an M car. We should switch and start calling them competitions.
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11-30-2023, 08:33 AM	#11
swagon Major General 13521 Rep 8,165 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	just like they said they'd never make a FWD BMW or an M SUV
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11-30-2023, 08:36 AM	#12
M3ZCPNYC Captain 585 Rep 846 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: May 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	It’s just different OG Bobby Johnson
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11-30-2023, 08:47 AM	#13
Dking078 Second Lieutenant 221 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2018 X5 50i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southern California iTrader: (6)	"We will never put a forced induction in an M" "We will never make an X into an M" "We will never make an automatic for an M" Sure BMW. Sure __________________ 2018 X5 50i [AW / Black] 2016 550i [AW/ Black] 2014 550i [CB / Black]
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11-30-2023, 08:50 AM	#14
Evinrude1975 Second Lieutenant 825 Rep 295 Posts Drives: BMW M3 CS '24 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	After the XM, I’m ready for anything
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11-30-2023, 08:59 AM	#15
Dantesboyz recovering e36er 65 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Johnstown OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 ///M240i XDrive [7.25]	Pshhh I mean is the moniker really that important to most anyway? What matters is how it performs, how you feel driving it, the technology it comes with. And if those attributes meet the expectations of the driver. I feel unless it's a vehicle being purchased for rarity/investment ... it won't be kept pure anyway. We all love to mod our cars and make them representations of ourselves, our dreams, and capabilities. And I love that we can do those thinfgs. But that really widens the gap of what an M3, or any other model can be. How many b58's are pulling on S58's because of tuning? Go back to the e36 M3, it wasn't to significantly different from a 328is (I had both before I realized) Excluding instances where full overhauls or race car is the plan... To me what matters is the roundel and the engine. Everything else can be adjusted with bolt on mods and software. __________________ 2017 F22 M240i, Xdrive, M Performance Package Active Autowerke Downpipe, Dinan Carbon Fiber Intake, Dinan Carbon Fiber Turbo Inlet, Dinan Mid-pipe, xHP Flashtool, MHD Stage 2 To do next list- #1- Wheel Spacers & Tires, #2- B58 TU Pump, #3- Flex Fuel Kit
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11-30-2023, 09:11 AM	#16
antzcrashing Brigadier General 1910 Rep 3,218 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i GC xD ... [9.75]	I don’t believe you (Anchorman voice)
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11-30-2023, 09:14 AM	#17
emulajavi First Lieutenant 422 Rep 342 Posts Drives: MINI JCW F56 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Spain iTrader: (0)	The should never use the i at the beginning for anything. They should stop trying to look modern and Apple-ish but naming their cars i-something. Even Apple stopped calling new products i-something when Steve Jobs passed as a sign of respect for an era. They just need to keep it simple. M1/M2/M3/M4/M5/M6/M7 330 for the electric version 330i for gas 330d for diesel 330h for hybrid M350 for M Performance And in a couple of years only the 330 and M350 names will remain as all will be electric. Same for X: X1M/X2M/X3M/X4M/X5M/X6M/X7M X330 for the electric version X330i for gas X330d for diesel X330h for hybrid XM350 for M Performance And in a couple of years only the X330 and X350M names will remain as all will be electric. Last edited by emulajavi; 11-30-2023 at 09:22 AM..
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11-30-2023, 09:14 AM	#18
Mako (Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC 1549 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: '23 M3 comp Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	Um???? I5 M60
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11-30-2023, 09:23 AM	#19
zinner Major 559 Rep 1,127 Posts Drives: `17 X5 35d/`15 335i/`18 M550IX Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	how to say something without saying anything is about what this amounts to.
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11-30-2023, 09:26 AM	#20
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6918 Rep 3,277 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	Remember when Ferrari said they would never make an SUV.
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11-30-2023, 09:40 AM	#21
danniexi Brigadier General 3072 Rep 4,393 Posts Drives: 2022 F97 X3M Comp LCI Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (15) Garage List 2022 BMW X3M Compet ... [10.00] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [10.00]	so yeah, an M3 that is electric will be called an M3. why is this news? the iM3 or whatever moniker rumor was stupid from the start. an M3 will be an M3, BEV or otherwise. same reason why Porsche has the Taycan "Turbo". __________________ BMW MY22 F97 X3MC LCI - CURRENT BUILD THREAD\| Instagram: @danniexi BMW MY16 F80 M3 - GONE BMW MY08 E92 335XI - GONE BMW MY06 E46 325XI - GONE
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11-30-2023, 09:50 AM	#22
ASAP Major General 10161 Rep 8,626 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	We will never have AWD, automatic trannys or turbo motors... the M3 is meant to be a lightweight enthusiast vehicle without ipad screens. __________________ 2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
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