Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to introduce a new nomenclature structure that will come into effect from next year.

New Mercedes-Benz nomenclature to provide customers with better orientation

Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 30 models worldwide, among them at least eleven do not have predecessors in the current product portfolio.

According to the Stuttgart based brand, the system behind the new Mercedes-Benz nomenclature is simple, clear and transparent. The system centres on the five core model series, A, B, C, E and S which will remain unchanged, while model designations for the SUVs will go through major changes.

In a tribute to the legendary G-Class, all SUV models will in the future have the first two letters “GL” in their name, and the third letter will indicate the relationship to the relevant core model series. This means the current GLK, ML and GL models will be called GLC, GLE and GLS respectively. The company also said that its SUV GLE Coupe will now be known as GLE-Class Coupe.

The same naming structure will also be applied to the SLK roadster which will get the SLC designation while the G, SL will retain its names in recognition of its iconic status.

In a development paralleling that of the model series designations, the different types of engines will also be given new designations using a lowercase letter to point out the type of engine used.

To denote the compressed natural gas the letter ‘c’ will be used, likewise ‘d’ for diesel ‘e’ for electric, ‘f’ for fuel cell and ‘h’ for hybrid, while there be will be no suffix for the petrol models. The defining and established designation 4MATIC all-wheel-drive vehicles will also remain unchanged.