Mercedes confirms two new models amid naming shake-up

Date: 13 November 2014   |   Author: Daniel Puddicombe

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it is going to build a coupe version of its ML large off-roader along the lines of the BMW X6 and a shooting-brake estate version of the CLA. Both will be coming to the UK next summer.

The German car maker is also changing its model naming structure from 2015 in an attempt to make it more understandable for customers.

The model designation will be an acronym made up of between one and three upper case letters, while the engine type will be indicated by a lower-case letter.

The system revolves around what Mercedes calls its core model series - A, B, C, E and S.

All 4x4 models will carry the first two letters "GL" in the model's name. It is then followed by a third letter, which indicates its relationship to the core models.

 GLA                 GL A-Class

GLC                 GL C-Class; previously GLK (not sold in the UK)

GLE                 GL E-Class; previously M-Class or ML

GLE Coupé      GL E-Class Coupé (coming summer 2015)

GLS                  GL S-Class; previously GL

G                      unchanged

The system for four-door coupes runs along the same lines; CL denotes the origin and the third letter denotes its link to the core model line-up, however the CLS will retain its current name.

All convertible models will carry the SL prefix to denote its origin from 2016, and the third letter will denote the link to the core model series. The SLK will become the SLC to denote the C-class size, while the SL will retain its current name a la the G-class "in recognition of its iconic status," Mercedes said.

 Engine types will also carry new names as follows:

c for "compressed natural gas"	(Natural Gas Drive until now)
d for "diesel"	(BlueTEC and CDI until now)
e for "electric"	(PLUG-IN HYBRID, BlueTEC PLUG-IN HYBRID and Electric Drive until now)
f for "fuel cell"	(F-CELL until now)
h for "hybrid"	(HYBRID and BlueTEC HYBRID until now)

 Examples of the new naming system:

 Current                                                     New

Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI                   Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 d

Mercedes-Benz ML 250 CDI                    Mercedes-Benz GLE 250 d

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200                         Mercedes-Benz SLC 200

Mercedes said there will be no suffix for petrol engines and 4Matic will remain to designate all-wheel-drive models.

"More clarity, more transparency, more consistency for Mercedes-Benz customers - we are convinced that our new nomenclature will support us in achieving this objective," said Dr Jens Thiemer, head of communications, Mercedes.

"The logic built up on the basis of the core model series will enable our customers to find their way round our growing product portfolio far better," said Thiemer.

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