There are many myths about deciphering the letters in BMW model names. For example, everyone knows that M stands for Motorsport, and this means that this exact model was prepared by a special performance-oriented division of the BMW Company. But what does Ci means in the name of a BMW car?
.jpg)
It means Coupe for the "C" and Fuel Injected for the "i". Whenever you see the letter i in the BMW car name, it means "fuel injected", but they tend to stop using it since cars get much more complicated powertrains such as hybrid and electric.
Why did BMW call their coupe cars Ci?
BMW used the Ci name to show coupe cars from the E46 coupe and later. Now, they tend to use different things like changing the number in the model name. Also, the Ci is often considered to be the name for convertible models but it's not correct, the convertible BMW cars have been called iC.
So, the Ci stands exclusively for coupe cars. And this is how it worked until the recent generations came out. Now, BMW is working to create a new letter-number way to call the body types.
Why did BMW need to use Ci for the coupe?
There is no perfect answer to this question. BMW still wants to give a special model name to every different body type in their model range. They use the letters they have been using for a long time and this makes BMW fans quite comfortable because now they can easily identify the body type of the car just by looking at its name.
I don't know if there is a practical purpose of these body type names but it's the history and the philosophy of the brand, so we don't expect this to change any time soon.
And still, I have seen some new coupe models that don't have the Ci in their names. So, probably, BMW is going to come up with some other system to call their body types.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Add comment