► BMW codenames explained
► From E to F through G
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Several years ago, we published a list of BMW codenames for the anoraks out there. And with our recent scoop of the next-generation G90 BMW M5, what better excuse to update Munich’s future model plans?
We’ve researched all the different BMW E and F codenames we know about and explained them all in our handy list below. Perfect in case your specialist subject on Mastermind includes BMW codenames and you need to sort your E30 from your E90s.
Historically, each BMW carried an E project number – standing for Entwicklung, or development. The numbers have then risen progressively up to triple digits, at which point F numbers took over – and now BMW is using G monikers for its future product with yet more to come as the company prepares to overhaul its platform strategy with the upcoming Neue Klasse.
So browse the BMW codename list below and scratch up on your knowledge. And ponder what could have been; there are numeric gaps which we can only imagine were stillborn projects or new cars that never saw the light of day…
If we’ve missed any off, be sure to let us know in the comments below!
BMW G codenames explained
BMW G01 3rd-gen X3, 2017-
BMW G02 2nd-gen X4, 2018-
BMW G05, 4th-gen X5, 2018-
BMW G06 3rd-gen X6, 2020-
BMW G09 1st-gen XM, 2023-
BMW G11 6th-gen 7-series 2015-
BMW G12 6th-gen 7-series LWB 2015-
BMW G14 New 8-series Cabriolet 2019-
BMW G15 2nd-gen 8-series Coupe 2018-
BMW G20 7th-gen 3-series saloon 2018-
BMW G21 7th-gen 3-series Touring 2019-
BMW G22 2nd-gen 4-series Coupe 2020-
BMW G23 New 4-series Convertible 2020-
BMW G29 3rd-gen Z4 2018-
BMW G30 7th-gen 5-series 2017-
BMW G31 7th-gen 5-series Touring 2017-
BMW G32 4th-gen 6-series 2017-
BMW G38 7th-gen 5-series LWB for China 2017-
BMW G60 5-series 2024-
BMW G70 7th-gen 7-series 2022-
BMW G80 6th-gen M3 2020-
BMW G82 New M4 Coupe 2021-
BMW G83 New M4 Convertible 2021-
BMW G90 New M5 2025-
BMW G99 New M5 Touring 2025-
BMW F codenames explained
BMW F01 (above) 5th-gen 7-series, 2008-
BMW F02 5th-gen 7-series LWB, 2008-
BMW F03 5th-gen 7-series armoured, 2008-
BMW F06 1st-gen 6-series Gran Coupe
BMW F10 6th-gen 5-series saloon, 2010-
BMW F11 6th-gen 5-series Touring, 2010-
BMW F12 3rd-gen 6-series convertible, 2011-
BMW F13 3rd-gen 6-series coupe, 2011-
BMW F15 3rd-gen X5 replacement, 2014-
BMW F16 2nd-gen X6 replacement, 2014-
BMW F20 2nd-gen 1-series five-door, 2011-
BMW F21 2nd-gen 1-series three-door, 2011
BMW F22 2nd-gen 1-series coupe (badged 2-series), 2013-
BMW F23 2nd-gen 1-series cabriolet (badged 2-series), 2014-
BMW F25 2nd-gen X3, 2011-
BMW F26 1st-gen X4, 2014-
BMW F30 6th-gen 3-series saloon, 2011-
BMW F31 6th-gen 3-series Touring, 2012-
BMW F32 3-series coupe replacement (badged 4-series), 2013-
BMW F33 3-series convertible replacement (badged 4-series), 2014-
BMW F34 3-series Gran Turismo, 2013-
BMW F35 4-series four-door coupe, 2015-
BMW F36 4-series Gran Coupe
BMW F44 1-series Gran Turismo, 2014-
BMW F45 2-series Active Tourer, 2014-
BMW F46 2-series Gran Tourer, 2015-
BMW F47 X2, 2018-
BMW F48 2nd-gen X1, 2015-
BMW F52 1-series Sedan
BMW F82 M4 GTS
BMW F85 X5 M, 2015-
BMW F87 M2 Coupe
BMW F90 M5 saloon 2017-
BMW E codenames explained
BMW E3 (above) 2500/2800 saloons, 1968-1977
BMW E9 2000-2800 coupés, 1968-1974
BMW E12 1st-gen 5-series, 1975-1981
BMW E21 1st-gen 3-series, 1976-1983
BMW E23 1st-gen 7-series, 1978-1987
BMW E24 1st-gen 6-series, 1977-1989
BMW E25 Turbo concept car, 1972
BMW E26 M1 supercar, 1978-1981
BMW E28 2nd-gen 5-series, 1982-1988
BMW E30 2nd-gen 3-series, 1984-1992
BMW E31 8-series, 1989-1999
BMW E32 2nd-gen 7-series, 1986-1994
BMW E32/2 2nd-gen 7-series LWB, 1987-1994
BMW E34 3rd-gen 5-series, 1989-1995
BMW E36 3rd-gen 3-series, 1992-1999
BMW E36/5 3-series Compact, 1994-2000
BMW E36/7 Z3, M Roadster, M Coupé, 1995-2002
BMW E38 3rd-gen 7-series, 1994-2001
BMW E38/2 3rd-gen 7-series LWB, 1994-2001
BMW E38/3 3rd-gen 7-series armoured, 1998-2001
BMW E39 4th-gen 5-series, 1996-2004
BMW E46 4th-gen 3-series, 1999-2005
BMW E46/5 2nd-gen 3-series Compact, 2001-2004
BMW E52 Z8, 2000-2003
BMW E53 1st-gen X5, 2000-2006
BMW E60 5th-gen 5-series, 2004-2010
BMW E61 5th-gen 5-series Touring, 2004-2010
BMW E63 2nd-gen 6-series Coupe, 2003-2011
BMW E64 2nd-gen 6-series Cabriolet, 2003-2011
BMW E65 4th-gen 7-series, 2001-2008
BMW E66 4th-gen 7-series LWB, 2002-2008
BMW E67 4th-gen 7-series armoured, 2001-2008
BMW E68 4th-gen 7-series hydrogen
BMW E70 2nd-gen X5, 2007-2013
BMW E71 1st-gen X6 2008-2014
BMW E81 1st-gen 1-series 3dr, 2004-2011
BMW E82 1st-gen 1-series 5dr, 2004-2011
BMW E83 1st-gen X3, 2003-
BMW E84 1st-gen X1, 2009-2016
BMW E85 1st-gen Z4, 2003-2009
BMW E87 1st-gen 1-series Coupe, 2004-2011
BMW E88 1st-gen 1-series Convertible, 2004-2011
BMW E89 2nd-gen Z4, 2009-2016
BMW E90 5th-gen 3-series saloon, 2005-2011
BMW E91 5th-gen 3-series Touring, 2005-2011
BMW E92 (below) 5th-gen 3-series coupé, 2005-2011
BMW E93 5th-gen 3-series convertible, 2005-2011
With thanks to Tony Lewin’s excellent book The Complete Book of BMW for research purposes.
Read all the BMW reviews by CAR magazine here