Mercedes-Benz Naming Conventions & Classes

Mercedes-Benz has been building the world’s foremost cars for generations. As the automaker moves into an electrified future, more and more vehicles are fully electric, with some having hybrid powertrains. Have you ever wondered how the brand comes up with the names for its vehicles? Read on to learn more about how each new vehicle gets its name among the many Mercedes-Benz classes and Mercedes-Benz types.

Mercedes All-Electric Meaning

Mercedes All-Electric represents one of the newest sub-brand to come from the vaunted automaker. Most people recognize it as “emotional intelligence,” a play off of “IQ.” The German luxury brand values the emotional intelligence and eco-friendliness of electric mobility as it races forward.

When you shop for a new Mercedes-Benz, seeing the All-Electric designation means the vehicle is all-electric. The flagship came out in the 2022 model year with the all-new EQS sedan, followed shortly by the EQS SUV. Both models have luxury apportionments, long ranges, and flexible charging options.

When you invest in a Mercedes-Benz All-Electric vehicle, you get two years of free DC fast charging to help you on your way to exploring Niagara and beyond.

What Does AMG Mean for Mercedes?

The AMG designation on performance-tuned Mercedes-Benz vehicles stands for “Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach.” The first two words are the last names of two of the founders of Mercedes-AMG, Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. The last word, Großaspach, is the city in Germany where Aufrecht was born. More than just a name, AMG designations bespeak higher trim levels, more advanced suspension tuning, higher horsepower, and finer handling. They also have a sportier look inside and out. It’s as if the founders of Mercedes-AMG, if they were still alive today, put their personal stamps on each vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Classes Explained

You’ve probably seen the ads in Niagara-on-the-Lake and St Catharines that showcase the A-Class or S-Class Mercedes-Benz models. This naming convention goes back decades, and the luxury automaker doesn’t seem to be changing its ways any time soon!

Many of the lettered classes come from German words.

• S-Class: “Special” Slass (from the German word “Sonderklasse”)
• E-Class: Executive Class (denotes mid-size car models)
• C-Class: Comfort Class (denotes compact car models)
• A-Class: No historical meaning (but refers to sub-compact and hatchback model)
• G-Class: Off-road vehicles (from the German word “Geländewagen”)
• CLA-Class: Refers to an A-Class based coupe design
• GLB-Class: Refers to a B-Class (not sold in Canada) based design
• GLA-Class: Refers to an A-Class based lightweight SUV
• GLC-Class: Refers to a C-Class based compact SUV
• GLE-Class: Refers to an E-Class based mid-size SUV
• GLS-Class: Refers to an S-Class based SUV with the finest the brand has to offer

Test Drive a New Mercedes-Benz at Performance Mercedes-Benz Today!

No matter what letter or number combination you want, Mercedes-Benz has a well-built vehicle for you! If you’re ready to take a test drive, contact us or call 905-685-3838 to schedule one today.

In the meantime, apply for financing if you’re interested in buying a brand-new luxury vehicle to take home with you to Pelham or Grimsby. Make sure to look over our new vehicle offers to see how you can save some money.