From bimmerpost:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1008378

 

So 330i and 340i huh.. wonder if this has anything to do with Mercedes 2015 C-Class and the C250 - > C300 and C350 - > C400...

 

the changes make sense. 328 makes no sense whatsoever. the 6 and 7 series are already using the x40i for the 3.0 twin turbo variants.

 

LOL and people bicth about the inifiniti model designations...

I remember when the 330i was the top engined 3 series.

 

car number inflation.

 

does this also mean the 535i will become 540i?

 

I remember a time when I used to know all car names and designations lol....

 

Likely yes. Sort of annoying though since 540i used to mean V8

 

Sort of? no, it's full-fledged annoying!!!!


it's almost like putting a V8 badge on a 4 cylinder IMO.

 

lol, well, fear not, most cars SOLD will be 4 banger soon enough.

 

all good... I see an STI in my future!

 

It's funny, I was thinking this exact thought when I read your post!

 

I didn't think that was possible.

What happened to the good old days when numbers meant something? I still don't understand LS600h.

Even domestic pickups, F350, GMC 3500, etc. I know what they mean(Half-ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton), but the payloads of the vehicles have all changed since these designations were adopted.

 

With the exception of the CT200h (1.8), HS250h (2.4), RX400h (3.3), ES300h (2.5), IS300h (2.5),Lexus adds a liter of displacement. So RX450h and GS450h with their 3.5L V6 goes to 4.5, LS600h with it's 5.0L V8 goes to 6.0.

The CT was rounded up because no one wants a CT180 well that and Americans have a preception of larger numbers = more power.

 

good old days? bmw and mercedes numbering and letters has always been ALL over the map. it's true that for bmw their numbers used to more closely align with engine sizes, but not always.

as for the LS600hL - well since it's the flagship sedan it had to have a higher number than the 460. the engine's a 5.0L+electric, but 500 was probably too close in series from 460, so they went with 600. makes sense to me.