As a previous report anticipated, Mercedes-Benz will change its model nomenclature to better reflect the recent expansion of the company’s lineup.

The move was deemed necessary because by 2020, the automaker will have brought more than 30 models on to the market worldwide, at least eleven of which will be unprecedented. Add to that the different body variants and drive systems and Mercedes’ move may start to make sense.

Centered around the five core model series (A, B, C, E and S), the model designation will be an acronym made up of between one and three upper-case letters. In the case of the SUVs, all future models will have the first two letters GL in their name: the G is a tribute to the legendary G-Class, while the L is a linking letter that makes the model designations easier to remember and easier to pronounce. Only the G-Class will retain its one-letter name.

A third letter will indicate the relationship to the relevant core model series, as Mercedes-Benz has already started implementing with the GLA (derived from the A-Class). As a consequence, the next-generation GLK will be renamed GLC (C for C-Class), the M-Class will be renamed GLE and the GL will be baptized GLS. Further variations like the GLE Coupé will also exist.

Four-door coupés and roadsters will follow the same logic, as showcased by the CLA and CLS and their CLA Shooting Brake and CLS Shooting Brake variations. From 2016 all roadsters will include SL in their names to denote their lineage from the SL model, plus a third letter. The SLK will thus become the SLC. However, the SL will not receive a third letter and will retain its name.

Changes will also be made for the designations of different types of engines, which will be shorter than those currently on use. The boot lids will in future feature lower-case letters: c for “compressed natural gas” will replace Natural Gas Drive, d for “diesel” instead of BlueTEC and CDI, e for “electric” instead of PLUG-IN HYBRID, BlueTEC PLUG-IN HYBRID and Electric Drive, f for “fuel cell” instead of F-CELL, and h for “hybrid” instead of HYBRID and BlueTEC HYBRID.

As until now, petrol models will have no suffix, while AWD models retain the 4MATIC designation. Take a look at the graphics posted below for more information.

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