The “Class” system for Mercedes only came about in 1972 with the arrival of their W116 car, which they created the S-Class for. The S-Class was launched in order to introduce a series of flagship cars.
In 1994, the manufacturer changed the nomenclature of their cars, so a model would be named by a letter, and followed by up to three digits.
This alphanumerical system was to categorise the cars better. The old system saw the letter represent the class it belonged to, and the numbers represented the engine’s displacement in litres multiplied by 100. This would the follow a suffix of letters, which indicated body style and engine type.
According to Mercedes, the old alphanumerical system was as follows:
- “C” indicated a coupe or cabriolet body style
- “D” indicates the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine.
- “E” (for “Einspritzung”) indicates the vehicle’s engine is equipped with petrol fuel injection.
- “G” was originally used for the Geländewagen off-road vehicle, but is now applied to Mercedes SUVs in general (for example, the GLA and GLK).
- “K” was used in the 1930s, indicating a supercharger (“Kompressor”) equipped engine.
- “L” indicates “Leicht” (lightweight) for sporting models, and “Lang” (long-wheelbase) for sedan models.
- “R” indicates “Rennen” (racing), used for racing cars (for example, the 300SLR).
- “S” Sonderklasse “Special class” for flagship models, including the S-Class, and the SL-Class, SLR McLaren and SLS sports cars.
- “T” indicates “Touring” and an estate (or station wagon) body style
In Mercedes’s new system, letters were designated to mean the following:
A-Class – Hatchback
B-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
C-Class – Saloon, Estate & Coupé
CL-Class – Luxury Coupé
CLA-Class – 4 Door Coupé
CLS-Class – 4 Door Coupé
E-Class – Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet
G-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GL-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GLA-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GLK-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
M-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
R-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
S-Class – Luxury Sedan
SL-Class – Roadster
SLK-Class – Roadster
It was at this point in around 1994 that Mercedes started to expand on the range of models they were producing. Prior to this, Mercedes were mainly producing four types – a sports car, a midsize sedan, an upper class sedan and a luxury stretch limousine. Nowadays, they have the full range of vehicles – from hatchbacks to trucks.
FAQs
A-Class. A subcompact luxury hatchback or sedan model. B-Class. Also a subcompact, this being a multipurpose vehicle. C-Class.
What is the meaning of S Class Mercedes? ›
As the flagship Mercedes-Benz vehicle, S-class is credited with the introduction of many new features on the company's behalf. In 1972, these luxury sedans were officially named 'S-Class' that stands for “Sonderklasse” which means 'Special Class' in German.
What do the Mercedes model codes mean? ›
Letters represent the model of the car and numbers usually , the engine size. For example: A Mercedes “E320 CDI” means a Mercedes E class with 3.2L Diesel engine, if there is no “CDI” and it's just E320 the car runs on petrol. Same rules apply for different numbers as well, 270, 300, 180 etc.
What does car class mean? ›
The Car class is a subclass of the Vehicle class, meaning it inherits all the properties and methods of the Vehicle class. It represents a specific type of vehicle, such as a car.
What is better C or E-Class Mercedes? ›
The C-Class is a smaller and sportier car that's ideal for those who value agility, performance, and sporty styling. Comparatively, the E-Class is a larger and more luxurious car that's perfect for those who prioritize comfort, refinement, and advanced technology features.
Which Mercedes class is best? ›
The S-Class is the flagship Mercedes-Benz vehicle. It is a full-size luxury sedan that is the epitome of luxury and refinement. The S-Class is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.
Which is better S or E-Class? ›
The S-Class has a higher starting price and offers more standard luxury features and more rear legroom, but both models are great picks for 2023, delivering the refined ride you expect from Mercedes-Benz.
What does G class mean in Mercedes? ›
Ever wondered what the “G” in the G-Class stands for? It surely isn't just a letter that Mercedes-Benz assigns to different models in its lineup. It stands for “Gelandewagen”, which means cross country vehicle. This is why it is also commonly known as simply G-wagen, which is just a short form of the name.
What is C-Class Mercedes? ›
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a well-known line of luxury vehicles developed and manufactured by the German automotive company, Mercedes-Benz. It has been in production since 1993 and has gone through five generations since then.
How do I know what class my Mercedes is? ›
VIN Character 4: Series Indicator
Each class and generation gets its own letter in the Mercedes-Benz VIN breakdown. This is the most specific number because it tells you what class, model, and generation the vehicle is.
Mercedes assigns both a letter and a number to its sedans; often, the number denotes the engine size or type. For instance, The C300 sedan indicated the engine size (a 3L V6) until 2015‒2016. The C350 has a 3.5L, six-cylinder engine, the E550 had a 5.5L V8 engine, and so on.
How do you read a Mercedes code? ›
In most Mercedes vehicles, there is a port under the steering wheel where you can connect an OBD Code-Reader or Scanner tool, at which point the OBD Code-Reader reads out a particular code. This code tells you what the specific problem is with your car.
Are a class good cars? ›
Is the Mercedes A-Class a good car? We think the latest Mercedes A-Class is one of the best premium hatchbacks you can buy right now, thanks to its well-built cabin, seriously slick infotainment system and class-leading refinement.
Is as class a good first car? ›
The A-Class offers many of the tech and luxury features that you will find in higher-end models if you are prepared to spec out your chosen model. With its compact size and good looks the A-Class makes an excellent first car.
What segment is Mercedes E class? ›
The E-segment is the 5th category of the European segments for passenger cars, synonymous with the term executive car.
Is an A-Class or C-Class better? ›
The C-Class also comes standard with EQ Boost, which can add more horsepower and torque when you engage the system. What's more, while the A-Class is only offered with the 188-hp engine identified above, the C-Class has traditionally been offered in a number of potent AMG® configurations with even more power.
What is the difference between Mercedes A-Class and B-Class? ›
The B is taller, longer and wider on the outside than the A, and that translates to better space on the inside – the boot, at 488 litres, is a particular highlight.
What is the difference between A-Class and B-Class Mercedes? ›
The A-Class and the B-Class belong to the sub compact categories with the A-Class being the luxury hatchback whereas the B-Class is the sports compact tourer. The C-Class, on the other hand, is a line-up of compact executive cars available as the sedan/saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet version.
Is S-Class better than E-Class? ›
Which Mercedes-Benz sedan is right for you: the classic midsize E-Class or the lineup's flagship large sedan? The S-Class has a higher starting price and offers more standard luxury features and more rear legroom, but both models are great picks for 2023, delivering the refined ride you expect from Mercedes-Benz.
