FatTony001

I was wondering what all the model letter means...


CLK
SLK
SLR
CLS
GLK
SL
CL
ML
GL
B
C
E
G
R
S


Maybe nothing...
(didn't fing anything in the search option)

treddel

In the beginning, these letters had special meaning. A 450SEL for example meant S for Sonderklasse (Special class) E for EInspritzer (fuel injected) and L for long version. Other letters were C for coupe and D for Diesel

They only used very few letters. with the introduction of new product lines and more and more engines it became impossible to destinguish the cars just by their designations.

At that time they converted the exsisting letters into model designations starting with the E and S for their (then) main product lines.

treddel.

Polar Bear

About the only rule you can apply is that K=small.

GL - large SUV
GLK - small SUV
CL - large coupe
CLK - small coupe
SL - large roadster
SLK - small roadster

Barry45RPM

LOL... Doesn't "Kleine" mean small in German?

Polar Bear

I'll have to take your work on that - don't know my German well, but I think I recall seeing that somewhere.

Mackhack

Klein means small, kleine is from the same word family!

Benzo1999

I thought the K originally was for Kompressor?

amdeutsch

In the case of the model designations 'K' = 'kurz' = 'short'

In regards to engine designations 'K' = 'Kompressor' = "Supercharger'

HTH

1985mb

I could have sworn I posted in this thread earlier, and there were other replies which seem to have vanished

ruffrob

I always heard that 'E' stands for Executive

Mackhack

Nope, because before the letters stood for the different classes they called the cars for instance 300 E (E for Einspritzer) then they started putting the letters before the numbers b/c of the class naming.

Germancar1

CLK - Coupe, Light, Short
SLK - Sport, Light, Short
SLR - Sport, Light, Racing
CLS- ?
GLK - Geländewagen, Light, Short (if you follow the logic of the G and CLK, SL etc.)
SL - Sport, Light
CL - Coupe, Light
GL - Geländewagen, Light (IMO, see GLK)
ML - ?
B - ?
C - Kompact
E - Used to mean fuel injection in German, but now I believe it stand for Executive
G - Geländewagen
R - ?
S - Super


M

crazeazn

s = sonderklasse

Diesel Benz

I've seen this "translation" before and it must be one of the few that are right. But I just watched a document about MB history and some of the first cars (could have been before they were called Mercedes-Benz) had the S for the German word for "Sports" and/or "Super", would have to see it again. This was for the high end model (of the few available) and was claimed to be the origin of the S-class nomination.

The list from Germancar1 seems good, taking into account that "light" equals "licht" and "short" equals "kurz", that is, all letters come from the German language (I see this was mostly already covered).

I'm afraid there is no simple single truth even inside the company, or do our experts know otherwise?

Mackhack

Light would mean in this case not Licht but rather leicht (opposite of heavy).

Diesel Benz

Thanks for clearing that, I'm afraid you have better skills on that area, my German knowledge is from so far away and limited, should keep reading only.

Is the "Sonderklasse" often used by Germans?

Benzcowboy

GL - Geländewagen Luxus

lkchris

There have been times when L meant long, e.g. 300SDL

It certainly doesn't mean light with respect to ML and GL!

Mackhack

I'm German that's why!!

To be honest, Sonderklasse I never heard of that in respect of MB! 1:1 translation for that would be "special class" if that would make sense to you?!

Diesel Benz

I somehow was able to figure out that, not only based on your language skills. Your signature may have helped too.

To clarify, I've seen it used on these US forums only. Thanks for the "native view".

1985mb

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...r-meaning.html

n-yo-dreamz

I took the tour at the MB Plant in Sindelfingen, Germany when I picked up my car and I asked the tour guide what they meant and he told me that there is no method to the madness except that it is madness for those who wish to figure it out.

He said that the origins of the class/model lettering was lost some time within the first few ownership/partnership changes never to be found again. German engineered cars were designed by class hence the wide use of bicycles and public transportation. This didn't begin to change until the export market picked up. Remember the 500SEL??? We used to call it the Arabmobile because it seemed they were the only ones who had them!

L in european model cars normally meant Limousine and E meant Eleganz S Saloon which means the same as Limousine...madness!!!

J.Christian

Yes, Mozart's "A little night music" is, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"

JC

needfd

These questions are always fun... I think the E for Executive is an Americanized thing that sales people tell customers.

I don't think L stands for Long..
otherwise.. SLK would be Sonderklasse (Special), Long, Kurz (short) = Special Long Short?!

Mackhack

Back in the days you could buy let's say a 300 E. the letter E stands for Einspritzer. That is the German word for "injector".