Mercedes Benz internal code revealed

Mercedes-Benz has a rather complicated lineup of internal codes, with a bewildering combination of letters and numbers to symbolize each vehicle. It started out as a simple combination of letters and numbers, but the introduction of newer models created a whole new list of internal code alignments. The combination of letters and numbers used to correspond to the displacement of the engine, but nowadays this is not always the case. This is a quick guide to the meaning of all the letters and numbers.

A class:

This is the smallest car in the lineup of the Mercedes brand to be appropriately given the first name of the alphabet. The code name is W176, with “W” standing for a four- or five-door passenger car.

Class B:

The B-Class is the second smallest because it’s pretty self-explanatory how it got this tag.

Class C:

C-Class labeling gets more complicated. It is internally baptized as W205 and also called S205, with S for van. On upcoming models, the coupe will also receive an internal code of C205 and A204, with “C” standing for coupe and “A” standing for convertible.

Class E:

The E-class consists of more than one model, with an internal name of W212. However, the pickup gets S212. The E-Class coupe is not called C212 as one might assume, but as C207. This is because it has more in common with the previous generation C-Class 204. The “E” in E-Class used to stand for “injection” in German.

Classes:

The S-Class means “special class” in German because this large sedan was and still is the top-of-the-line vehicle in the Mercedes lineup. Its code is called W222, while the S-class coupe is called C217. Future convertibles will be designated A217.

CLA:

The CLA is marketed as a four-door coupe under a codename C117, much to the confusion of many Mercedes Benz fans.

CLS:

This is also a four-door coupe, with the internal code name of C218. The cross version is called X218.

SLK:

The SLK is the smallest roadster in the Mercedes lineup, code R172. The “R” stands for roadster.

SL:

The SL roadster is actually very similar to the SLK and appropriately named the R231.

With the addition of many Mercedes Benz vehicles in the future, the internal code name is sure to get complicated very quickly. The code names can be hard to memorize at first, but once you get the hang of them and understand why the codes are assigned to vehicles, they will be quite understandable.