The German word Entwicklung, which means development, is represented by the letter E in the E-number. New cars are given E numbers at the manufacturer when they are still in the development stage before their official sales name has been assigned. E numerals changed to F numbers as they reached the triple digits.
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The Meaning of BMW’s E, F, and G Model Codenames
You must have seen the “E” or “F” codes listed following the model name if you own a BMW or are considering buying one, for example: BMW 3-series (E46), BMW 5-series (E60), BMW 3-series (F30), etc.
If you consider yourself a true BMW enthusiast, then you probably already understand what this entails. For those who don’t know, we thought we’d go into more depth about this to help explain BMW’s sometimes cryptic ‘E’, ‘F’ and lately introduced ‘G’ model codenames.
Some BMW models are designated by the codenames “E,” “F,” and “G.” The “E” in this model’s name stands for the German term “Entwicklung,” which means “Development,” and dates back to the late 1960s.
Each BMW vehicle in development has had a “E” project number since the late 1960s. Prior to receiving formal approval and the go-ahead to begin manufacturing, new cars in the development stage were given the “E” numbers by the factory. The Germans chose to switch to the following alpha-numeric in order to keep things simple when the “E” numbers eventually reached the point of reaching into triple digits. When it reached triple digits in 2016, “G” numbers replaced “F,” which took over from “E” in 2008.
What Do the Numbers In BMW Models Mean?
You might have seen the designations 530i, 540i, or M550i on a 5 series sedan. The performance of the engine increases with the size of the last two digits in the number. A 540i, for example, will have greater power than a 530i. Originally, this number was directly related to the engine’s litre capacity; however, it is now used to denote overall power.
The fuel type is indicated by the letter at the end of each vehicle’s name. Gas models are identified by a “i,” diesel vehicles by a “d,” and plug-in hybrids by a “e.” BMW’s electric I Models feature a “i” before the digits in the car name, which is confusing. Therefore, a BMW 330i is gas-powered whereas a BMW i4 from 2022 is electric.
BMW Clarifies What Model Numbers Mean Currently
The latest episode of the official BMW podcast explores the evolution of the company’s renowned naming scheme. You should feel (somewhat) less perplexed after reading this.
In the past, reading the model name of a BMW would reveal a lot about it. You were looking at a 3.0-liter gasoline engined 3-series if the badge on the boot said “330i.” The displacement didn’t always equal the last two digits, but generally it worked out that way. We could go on, but the majority of models adhered to the standard or at least didn’t wander too far from it. The E39 540i featured a 4.4-liter engine, the E82 125i utilized a 3.0 liter, and so on.
This approach was employed for many years, as stated in BMW’s most recent podcast, which makes use of portions of the business’ quite lengthy naming guide website page. Prior to World War Two, all automobiles had a 300 number to distinguish them from BMW bikes and airplanes (100s). Following the war, names were all over the place, but the ‘E12’ 5-series brought order to the chaos in 1972. BMW wanted a new system that would be simple for customers to comprehend regardless of the language they spoke.
The naming convention no longer functions this way, as some shockingly irate keyboard warrior types will loudly inform you. A human being! However, since displacement is no longer the primary method by which BMW delivers its customers greater power, the conventional approach is no longer viable.
The same size engine is currently used by numerous variations of each model, with the power outputs changed by various levels of turbocharging and occasionally by the addition of hybrid technology. We’re sure you’ll agree that having three separate products with the same name as 520d might be a little perplexing.
More recently, battery electric vehicles, which have no engines at all, have added to the complexity of the situation. Similar to what Audi started doing a few years ago, the last two digits of this and the majority of other BMW models now denote various output “tiers.” According to BMW, “45” refers to vehicles with an output of between 300 and 350kW. That is the total output with electrical aid, which explains why, despite the fact that the 540i and 545e hybrids both have the same internal combustion engine, the 545e hybrid has a higher figure.
The initial “e” did originally stand for the Greek letter “eta,” designating cars that were “optimised for torque and RPM,” according to BMW. These days, plug-in hybrid models employ it. Although “leccy M stuff” receives a simpler naming scheme, e.g. i4 M50, complete EVs like the i4 eDrive40 get a more modern moniker called “eDrive.”
Exclusively the Z and X model lines are designated for two-wheel drive, whereas the moniker xDrive is only applied to all-wheel drive derivatives that are available with and without the technology but are otherwise identical. As always, a badge with a “i” or “d” at the end denotes gasoline injection or diesel.
For example, a M Division’d 3-series is an M3, but on SUVs, the magic letter is coupled with just one number designating the “series” and appears after the model name. If it’s a M vehicle, you get the standard three-digit number, such as M550i, even though electric vehicles and SUVs only have two, for instance. X3 M40i.
BMW uses E, but why?
The e signified a variant that was tuned for torque and RPM and stood for the Greek character eta. For its PHEVs, BMW currently employs e. Gran Turismo (current) is abbreviated as GT. A hatchback model is denoted by the letter GT, as in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo.
What is a BMW e-chassis?
What do the BMW chassis codes mean? Most likely, you’ve seen it on our website in application instructions or diagrams from RealOEM or BimmerCat.
When certain replacement parts are only made for a particular chassis or body type, the BMW chassis code, also known as the BMW manufacturer code or BMW model code, can tell you a lot about your individual BMW. There are some model years that might occasionally overlap. For instance, in 1999, both the E36 and E46 3 series were available on the market at the same time. On these kinds of splits, knowing your specific chassis code is crucial when selecting new components.
Historically, the first letter of the BMW chassis codes has always been “E,” which stands for the German word for development, Entwicklung. BMW phased out “E codes” for codes that start with “F,” and now they have switched to “G,” for a while these were known as “BMW E Codes.”
With the final seven digits of the VIN, you can quickly find your chassis code on RealOEM if you don’t know it. You’ll receive the essential details here, including the chassis code, engine, manufacturing code, and manufacture date. We suggest using bimmercat for further car details because it will provide you with more details, installed factory equipment, and practical parts diagrams. When choosing parts that fit automobiles with certain option codes, this is a particularly helpful tool.
The BMW chassis code charts included here cover every model that was sold in the US from 1965 until the present day.
The BMW E number is where?
Although your vehicle’s model number is prominently badged on the back of your BMW, internal classifications into E/F and G model codes also exist. The body style, model, and approximate age can typically be determined by specialists or dealers using this three-digit combination.
You can find the model code for your BMW E, F, or G using this short list. The car will always be referred to on our website (in any article or explanation) using the main body code.
How does the BMW E-series operate?
All BMW I models and plug-in hybrids use the new drive technology known as eDrive, which is fundamentally made up of an electric motor, a high-voltage lithium-ion battery, and an efficient energy management system.
The X5 xDrive40e can travel up to 30 kilometers without using any fuel, as an example, and the electric motor is what enables completely emission-free driving. In some circumstances, the electric motor can also increase acceleration.
All eDrive-equipped vehicles use a specific performance li-ion battery to store energy. A built-in cooling system ensures that the battery is continually kept at the optimum operating temperature, enhancing output and preserving battery life.
Everything is guaranteed to be operating as effectively and optimally as possible thanks to intelligent energy management. It achieves so in part using a predictive method, such as using navigation data to decide when to start the charging process or at what point along the route to transition to all-electric propulsion. Regenerative braking is another feature that feeds the battery with the kinetic energy generated by braking.
Is my BMW a F or E?
BMW Eand F Numbers The German term Entwicklung, which means development, is represented by the letter E in the E-number. New cars are given E numbers at the manufacturer when they are still in the development stage before their official sales name has been assigned. E numbers became F numbers as they reached the triple digits.
What is BMW E boost?
The term “BMW eBoost” most frequently refers to the use of the power and torque of an electric motor to improve performance and reduce fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions. When it is useful to add power, such as during gear changes, heavy throttle acceleration, and acceleration from a stop, the power/torque of the electric starter motor-generator is used. The final one might have required a quick downshift without the electric motor’s capacity to supply additional power. The eBoost can provide power in an engine that has a turbocharger during what would often be “turbo lag.”
The eBoost technology works well because an electric motor produces its maximum torque almost immediately after starting. Additionally, it is effective because regenerative braking recovers a significant amount of the electricity that would otherwise be lost. The engine stop/start mechanism works better and more quietly when eBoost is used to shut down and restart the engine.
M5 BMW: What does that mean?
A high-performance version of the BMW 5 Series known as the BMW M5 is sold under the BMW M sub-brand. In the sports sedan class, it is regarded as iconic. The majority of M5s have been made in sedan (saloon) body form, however from 1992 to 1995 and from 2006 to 2010, the M5 was also offered in some countries as an estate (wagon).
With a modified M1 engine, the first M5 model was hand-built in 1985 on the E28 535i chassis and was the fastest production sedan at the time. Since 1985, M5 models have been created for each generation of the 5 Series.
What does BMW’s M stand for?
The word “Motorsport” refers to the BMW M Series, which was initially developed to support BMW’s racing program. Over time, the BMW M program started to add customized vehicle models to its roster, which are now accessible to the general public.
Describe E drive.
In the context of an electric vehicle, which may be fueled by fuel cells, batteries, or other power sources, “E-Drive” refers to the parts and systems that transform energy into power in the drive system.
The BMW G series is what?
The BMW G20 (sedan version) and BMW G21 (wagon variant, branded as “Touring”) compact executive automobiles are part of the BMW 3 Series range’s seventh generation. The G20/G21, also referred to as the G20, has been in operation since mid-October 2018 and will undergo a renovation in July 2022.
The 330e plug-in hybrid vehicle is expected to go on sale in 2020, with the M340i, one of the first models in the lineup, going on sale in the spring of 2019. For the G20 generation, the 3 Series Gran Turismo fastback body type was dropped.
BMW has started manufacturing the G20 generation in Mexico for a number of international markets, including the US, in place of the Rosslyn factory in South Africa where the F30 generation vehicles were put together.