Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Yeah, it does sound classier that way. It's a little more confusing but I like it better.

I noticed that too. It wasn't until Lexus came around that they changed it.

TripleL

LOL

RXSF

Now that we get the B class electric drive, it actually is ABCES

GS69

Mercedes to OverHaul Car & Light Truck Names

Mercedes-Benz is overhauling the nomenclature used to identify its car and light-truck lineup as it prepares for the launch of 30 models -- including 11 all-new vehicles -- by 2020.

Along with the new models planned, Mercedes-Benz said the changes are being made as the company prepares to introduce new body variants and drive systems.

"This results in an increasingly complex situation when it comes to naming the models,” the company said in a statement today.

Mercedes-Benz joins Nissan Motor Corp.'s Infiniti and General Motors' Cadillac among luxury brands that have significantly revised or plan to change the way they identify models.

Some dealers have said the proliferation of models has posed marketing challenges and confusion among consumers, especially when companies have adopted alphanumeric names.

The new nameplates will begin to appear next year when Mercedes-Benz will launch either redesigned or freshened version of all of its crossovers and SUVs.

“After more than 20 years of continuity involving some of the most recognized and successful product names in the world, we are now making our system of vehicle nomenclature even more understandable,” the company said.

The new nomenclature is a “simpler, more transparent and more logical system for the designations of our model series, with the aim of providing clear orientation for our customers", Jens Thiemer, head of Mercedes-Benz brand marketing communication, said in the statement.

Mercedes-Benz will have five core models: A, B, C, E and S.

All crossovers will have a GL in their name “in a tribute to the legendary G class,” the company said.

The letter that follows will indicate the vehicle’s size, similar to the way the company has differentiated its sedans through the years.

• The compact GLA becomes GL A-class

• The compact GLK will be renamed GL C-class

• The midsize M-class becomes the GL E-class

• The all-new midsize coupe based on the current ML becomes the GL E-class coupe

• The full-sized GL becomes the GL S-class

• The G will remain the same

The company's 4-door passenger cars with coupe-like styling will all have CL as the 1st 2 letters in their names. The 3rd letter will refer to the size related to the core models.

The cars include the compact CLA and the larger CLS sedans. Wagon or Shooting Brake versions of the cars are not sold in the United States.

Beginning in 2016, Mercedes said the SL designation will be used on 2-door roadsters and the 3rd letter will also indicate the size. The SLK will be remained SLC. The SL name won’t change, “in recognition of its iconic status,” the company said.

Engines, other than gasoline-powered, will also get new designations with a single lower case letter on the trunk lid:

• c for compressed natural gas -- it is currently called National Gas Drive

• d for diesel, replacing BlueTEC and CDI

• e for electric, replacing Plug-in Hybrid BlueTEC Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Drive

• f for fuel cell, currently F-Cell

• h for hybrid, currently Hybrid and BlueTEC Hybrid.

Mercedes will continue to call its all-wheel drive models 4Matic.

In addition, 2 sub-brands are being added.

High-performance AMG models will be called Mercedes-AMG and the range-topping S-class variant has been named Mercedes-Maybach.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

well played mercedes. well played.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

I like these updates very much. I'm all for simplification, especially in terms of models, size and powertrain options

RXSF

I guess it makes more sense to the masses, so I am fine with it. Though really, the CLS should be a CL, unless the redesign coming up with make it more S than E

doge

This is a prime example of renaming done right.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think the updates are very well thought out!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I love organization

Sulu

Typically German, Mercedes-Benz' model names have always had some logic behind it. They have had to revise their naming structure occasionally (and more frequently in the last few years as new models came out that did not quite fit the naming structure) but there is always some logic behind it, and it has never been a wholesale change, which makes the changes easier to accept than Infiniti's or Cadillac's naming structure changes.

Slvr surfr

iTrader: (1)

Do you guys think Lexus will ever change their nomenclature someday?

corradoMR2

A picture says a thousand words. A lot clearer now.

^^^ I highly doubt name changes are in Lexus' near future. It's still making a mark for itself in many markets outside of Europe and N.America so it would be wise to build on consistency and strong car/brand loyalty first which takes many years.

Trexus

I hope not. I would hate to see it change to something that Johan did at Cadillac & Infiniti by calling all sedans LS such as LS 1, LS 2, LS3, and so on and calling all SUV's LX such as LX1, LX2, LX3 and so on.

Mercedes changed their naming structure well and organized. Great job Mercedes!

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

agreed with corrado, but to add to that, Lexus does not have a bloated model line and has been able to keep things in order already. Benz is switching the nomenclature so it makes sense as to what model line up with what. Acura, Infiniti, Cadillac and Volvo are all doing (not all necessarily succeeding) nomenclature tweaks too.