Earlier this year, reports suggesting BMW trademarking the name ‘iM3’ emerged online, speculating that it could be used on the brand’s upcoming all-electric M3 model. However, Frank van Meel, CEO, BMW M Division denied all reports, stating that the company’s ‘i’ badge will never be used on any M car.<\/p>\n
Replying to a question in an interview, van Meel stated, “No, that will be a Mission Impossible! Actually, we would never use an i on an M, even though it would be electric.” He added, “Because an M3 had a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, eight-cylinder engine; naturally aspirated, turbocharged ones. Now it\u2019s even got an xDrive, but it always remained an M3.”<\/p>\n
He further went on to say, “So if we would ever do something like that, it will always be called an M without an i. Because that\u2019s just the technology, and M is not about technology. It\u2019s about a promise, it\u2019s about motorsports, it\u2019s about emotion. It\u2019s not about the drivetrain.”<\/p>\n
Also, responding to queries about an electrified supercar, the BMW M CEO, stated that “he and his team were always dreaming about a car like that\u201d but for now, it\u2019s a no. It\u2019s in our hearts, it\u2019s in our minds. As car guys and car girls, we\u2019re always thinking and trying out cars like that. But I cannot say yes to you.”<\/p>\n