Mercedes announces naming changes, new sub-brand

Mercedes-Benz has announced a new naming structure that will be applied to its vehicles and drivetrains in the coming model year. The brand is also launching a new sub-brand that will replace its former Maybach division.
In a bid to better align its SUVs with its passenger car lineup, Mercedes is renaming most of its utility vehicles for the 2015 model year.

The GL nameplate will be replaced by the GLS, signaling its range-topping position alongside the S-Class. Similarly, the ML will be renamed the GLE to reflect its kinship to the mid-level E-Class sedan. The current GLK will be renamed the GLC, communicating its C-Class-level positioning.

Both the G- and GLA-Class SUVs will soldier on unchanged.

Mercedes’ passenger car range will carry-on unchanged, save for the SLK sports car. From now on it will be known as the SLC.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is changing the nomenclature for its drivetrains.

The ‘Natural Gas Drive’ name, which was used on compressed natural gas vehicles, will be switched to ‘c’ (ex. B 200 c). Keeping with the single-letter theme, Mercedes’ range of BlueTEC diesel models will now be identified with a ‘d’ (ex. E 350 d). Mercedes’ PLUG-IN HYBRID and Electric Drive systems will both be replaced by ‘e’ (ex. S 500 e).

Models tagged as HYBRID or BlueTEC HYBRID will be rolled under the ‘h’ designation (ex. S 400 h). Finally, ‘f’ will take the place of Fuel cell (ex. B 200 f).

Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system will not be affected my the switch in naming structure.

Finally, Mercedes is introducing a new sub-brand known as Mercedes-Maybach. Representing a new range of super-high-end vehicles, Mercedes will launch the Mercedes-Maybach brand at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show with a models based on the S 600. Mercedes promises that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will be differentiated from the standard version of the car by “extra spaciousness, special seats and lavishly designed, prestigious interiors offering extensive scope for individualization.”

“The Mercedes-Benz brand stands for the aspiration to deliver ‘The best’ in terms of products, technology and services,” the company said in a statement. “For us, this means that we offer our customers vehicles that, by virtue of their different characteristics and specific flair, are able to fit in with all sorts of individual lifestyles. In the S-Class segment in particular, customers have very high expectations with regard to exclusivity and individuality. Mercedes-Maybach enables us to fulfill these desires in the exclusive top segment of the market.”

Mercedes-Maybach is the second Mercedes sub-brand launched this year, following the introduction of Mercedes-AMG at the Paris Motor Show.