Natalie

I'm just curious what the letters and number 500 or 350 actually stand for?

BruNo

500, 350 denote engine size....500cc 350cc. CLS=body style.

tomk

I would guess Coupe, luxury, Sport

factoid junkie

I thought it stood for couple like sedan

vraa

You're off by a magnitude of 10.

5000cc (or there abouts) and 3500cc (same disclaimer)

This is not true for all Mercedes'. The 600's are around 5500cc and the C230k IIRC is 1800cc or so.

Mercedes is running out of letters, so they threw together CLS

DtS

I would guess CLS is shorthand for: Coupé Leicht Sport

Smiles

Or perhaps Coupe Luxe Sport?

ZorroAMG

If they are following the CL, yes you are correct. L does NOT mean Luxe, luxury etc...leicht, meaning light, as in not heavy

CL = Coupe Leicht light coupe
CLK = Coupe Leicht Kurtz meaning short CL

NelsonExotics

To me, it seems like if Mercedes wanted to offer the looks and curves of the CL class while still offering the convenience and luxury offered on the S class. Therefore, the CLS name was created, which combined both models, to offer the best of both worlds

vrracr

so ur saying my ducati has a bigger motor than all of the MB lineup?

in most cases, the number signify engine liters although that has been known to change in the last decade or so.

Natalie

Ok, if the "S" stands for sport, then what about the S-350? That can't mean the same thing?

HELL ONA HARLEY

Well, if in deed S does stand for sport, then S-350 would be sport 3.5 ltr... S500 would be sport 5.0 ltr. etc...

meissner

S stands for super in the case it stands alone,although it can stand for sport as well, E used to stand for Einspritz (injection) and then it was inherited by the medium sized sedans, L for Lang (long) or leicht (depending on application) C stands for compact or coupe , K for Kurz (short).

I guess in the CLS the C is both for coupe (4-door as it may be) and compact (although it is not) and L for long (which it is) and light (which it is not) and S for sporty (which is arguable) and super (which is subjective) !

In all it is a big contradiction in terms !!!!!

TammamB

I think it was arbitrary, ELS or ELK makes more sense but CLS sounds better. :p