BMW iM3 nameplate trademarked in Europe

The next-generation BMW M3 will be offered in both internal combustion and battery-electric forms and the latter appears set to be called the BMW iM3, following a pair of trademark filings in Europe.

Submitted to both the European and German intellectual property offices earlier this month by Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft – the BMW Group’s full name – the ‘iM3’ nameplate is about as self-explanatory as they come, given BMW’s current EV naming structure.

First uncovered and reported by Carbuzz.com, the trademark filing sets up an intriguing prospect for other future M products and leaves us wondering which other models will offer a combustion engine alongside a monstrous battery-electric set-up.

The most obvious choice is the next-gen M4, an electric version of which would almost certainly don the ‘iM4’ nameplate, seeing as the 4 Series is really just a 3 Series coupe.

And then there’s the prospect of an iM2, iM5, iM6, iM8, iX3 M, iX5 M and iX6 M, although it’s unclear whether BMW will produce hotter M versions of existing ‘M-lite’ EVs like the existing i4 M50, i5 M60, i7 M70 and iX M60.

Early indications are the iM3 sedan – and perhaps the Touring wagon – will pack a savage 1000kW quad-motor powertrain offering almost infinite adjustability and configurability when it launches in the second half of the decade, underpinned by the German car-maker’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform.

“This will come with M3 and will not be too far away from the initial launch of the Neue Klass as a product line,” BMW product development chief Frank Weber said in September.

Speaking to the current M3’s Euro7 emissions compatibility, Weber confirmed the “nice” S58 engine would be made compliant for another generation and return – undoubtedly in a higher state of tune – alongside the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance-battering iM3 EV.

“We will not have two different classes – there will be co-existence of the solutions in the market, which is necessary,” he said.

The groundbreaking iM3 nameplate is yet to appear within IP Australia’s trademark database, but we’ll keep an eye out and keep you posted with any developments.

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