Mercedes-Benz: #EXPLAINED

Welcome to the latest instalment of our #EXPLAINED series, where we tackle the model line-up of Mercedes-Benz, one of Germany’s biggest manufacturers.

You may have heard someone talking about a C-class or the new E-class, but what do these names mean? Well, the different models in the Mercedes line-up are divided into groups known as ‘classes’. Keep this in mind for the rest of the article.

Now, Mercedes-Benz has been trying to simplify their nomenclature for quite some time, and finally, there is order between the different models. The smallest models of each segment are the ‘A’ models, followed by the compact ‘C’ models, the mid-size ‘E’ models and the full-sized ‘S’ models, bar a few exceptions of course.

This naming system is taken a step further thanks to the specific model names given to each type of vehicle, where the crossover SUV models are denoted by a ‘GL’ behind their class. These vehicles include the crossover GLA-class, the GLC-class, the GLE-class and the GLS-class. There is a model that doesn’t conform to this system called the G-class, which you may have seen in a hip-hop video or the latest episode of keeping up with the Kardashians. This model keeps its name as a way of paying homage to the original Gelandewagen of 1979.

The sedans do not have a naming prefix and go straight ahead with their size denotation. The A-class hatchback, which is the smallest model in the line-up, the C-class, the E-class and the S-class. Mercedes has found a way to offer each sedan with a coupe counterpart, although there is no special naming convention for those models, such as the C-class coupe and the E-class coupe.

Mercedes has also got a naming structure for their sportier four-door coupe models, which carry the ‘CL’ badge. This includes the CLA-class and the CLS-class. The ‘SL’ badge is given to Mercedes’ sports coupe models, like the SLC-class and the SL-class.

There are exceptions to this naming strategy, such as the B-class, which is a small people carrier, like BMW’s 2-Series Active Tourer. There is also the V-class, which are large people carriers.

The models that you’ve probably seen on racetracks in videos and pictures are called AMG-models. These are Mercedes’ high-performance models that are a lot more powerful and aggressively styled than their normal siblings. AMG models can be identified by the number next to the class badge. The ‘43’ models are turbo petrol V6 cars, while the ‘45’ models are 4-cylinder turbo petrol cars. The ‘63’ models are powered by angry V8 engines and the super-rare ‘65’ models keep a classy V12 engine under the bonnet.

While we’re on the topic of AMG, let’s talk about Mercedes-AMG’s flagship performance car – the AMG GT, which is available in a variety of different models. There’s the regular AMG-GT, the AMG-GTS, the AMG-GTC and the fire-breathing AMG-GTR. These models are all powered by a 4.0-litre V8 and are primarily focused on speed, performance, handling and dynamics. Mercedes has also recently revealed the AMG-GT Four-door, which will rival the Porsche Panamera.

That’s it for this edition of #EXPLAINED. Let us know which manufacturer you’d like us to include on the next instalment of this series through our social media.