M-B Model Letter Designations
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
M-B Model Letter Designations
Hello friends,
I am confused about the numerous models that are now, and have been, available in these fine Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
Could someone please steer me toward a good source that explains the meanings of CLS, CLK, E, S, SLR et cetera?
I suspect that these letters are the first letter of some german words, and I think I understand the numbers that designate the engine displacements, at least, the more modern ones.
Thanks in advance,
Musikmann
I am confused about the numerous models that are now, and have been, available in these fine Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
Could someone please steer me toward a good source that explains the meanings of CLS, CLK, E, S, SLR et cetera?
I suspect that these letters are the first letter of some german words, and I think I understand the numbers that designate the engine displacements, at least, the more modern ones.
Thanks in advance,
Musikmann
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Well let me see what I remember....
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
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99 E320
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
M-B Model Letter Designations
Hello again friends,
Thanks to everyone who posted a reply to my question. It looks like I have a bit more research to do.
Musikmann
Thanks to everyone who posted a reply to my question. It looks like I have a bit more research to do.
Musikmann
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Well let me see what I remember....
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
Just as an FYI: I found that one word for 'short' in german is 'kurz' (time and space, also fig.) It looks like I might not have been too far off regarding the german abbreviations, and your explanation is right on.
Thanks again,
Musikmann
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 972
Likes: 28
From: DFW
BMW M850i Gran Coupe
Originally Posted by Germancar1
Well let me see what I remember....
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
CLK = Coupe Light Short
SLR = Sport Light Racing
SL = Sport Light
SLK = Sport Light Short
CL = Coupe Light
None of the "light" as in light weight designations really apply anymore except for maybe the SLK because these cars are anything but light (leight) compared to when these designations were first used.
E always stood for either fuel injection and/or gasoline, compared to "D" which always stood for diesel like in the old days of 300E and 300D.
C = Compact
E = Executive
S = Super
Not sure what ML, GL, CLS, and R stand for. Though CLS could stand for Coupe, Light, Short maybe?
M
S- Super
E- Einspritz (fuel Injection)
L- Long
The CL (Coupe Long) was originally "SEC"
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