i4 Gran Coupe

Make
BMW
Segment
Sedan

BMW fully acknowledges an impending reality: the death of internal combustion engines. It's not going to happen overnight, but rather years. Perhaps a decade or two. But it will happen. The new BMW i4 and iX are just the beginning of an all-electric vehicle onslaught. In 2025, a dedicated EV platform will arrive to take the place of those models' CLAR architecture.

But let's stop examining this EV future for a moment and bring things back to the present or near future. For what reason? Because it appears BMW's acclaimed M division has a couple of interesting and top-secret projects in the works. CarBuzz has uncovered a pair of trademark applications with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines for the names M7 and M9.

This isn't the first time BMW has trademarked the former, the last time being back in 2017. Nothing came of it, and BMW clarified the M760i would remain the most powerful 7 Series. The M9 name has been speculated about for years and, again, nothing has happened. But things are different now as the entire industry is rapidly advancing towards electrification. It's entirely possible BMW M has changed its mind and is pursuing an M7 after all.

This is purely speculation on our part but bear in mind development of the next-generation 7 Series is currently underway. It could be the final combustion-powered 7 Series and if that's the case BMW may want to go all-out. An M7 would surely be appropriate.

As for the M9, who knows. Our spy photographers recently snapped images of what appears to be the hardcore M8 CSL prototype lapping the Nurburgring. Sources indicate it'll come powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and paired to electric motors for a combined output of around 700 horsepower. The current M8 has a maximum of 617 hp. The point being is that the M8 CSL's setup could also be a testbed for a new drivetrain, which could find its way to an M9. Those intakes in place of rear windows also point to something unique being in the works.

Unfortunately, the trademark papers don't state anything regarding body style though a sedan is highly likely. All of the company's combustion-engined sedans have odd-numbered names. No automaker comments on future products and we wouldn't expect BMW to do so here. Still, we're really hoping at least one of these powerful sedans happens.