There are a lot of differences between each class of Mercedes and the cars within

the class. A misconception also stems from the C and S classes where each car that
bears a C or S can be similar or a completely other class of their own.
C
C stands for Cabriolet or a car resembling a coupe. The exception is the actual plain
old C class which is a class of its own.
C Class: Originally meant to be the entry level model and is now meant to be the
small sedan. The C class can be compared to the E and S classes as the smallest in
the luxury sedan line up.
CL Class: Stands for Coupe Light/Luxury. The CL is no longer made and is being
transition into the larger S Coupe. The CL has always been built off of the S class
platform and has basically always been an S Coupe. It is meant to be a lighter and
sporty car for those who still want the ultimate luxury tourer from Mercedes.
CLK Class: The CLK went out of production in 2003. This was the only cabriolet
built on the actual C class platform. CLK is to the C class what the CL and S Coupe
are to the S class. A cabriolet of the same driving quality, but sportier, as the
sedan. For a while a 2 door version of the C class was produced to fill the CLK slot,
but the demand was limited and there are other small roadsters and coupes that fill
the slot.
CLA Class: The CLA and even the CLS are part of a newer trend amongst luxury
auto makers to design a 4 door coupe. The CLA is built from parts of the A and B
classes. It is smaller than the C class sedan and is meant to be the sport coupe for
those wanting easy access for 4 with the design and feel of a coupe.
CLS Class: Some of this can apply to the CLA because they are basically the same
type of vehicle with the CLS being the largest. The CLS is meant to fill the demand
and nostalgia for the former E class coupe. CLS is built on the E class platform and
delivers a 4 door sedan type of experience in a sports coupe.
E
E Class: The E class is few Mercedes executive cars. The E currently comes in a
sedan, coupe/cabriolet and wagon. The E has become famous for their midsize
luxury vehicle and is hugely popular across the globe as a luxury taxi, family sedan,
executive sedan and competes with US cars like Cadillac and Lincoln. The E class is
the go to vehicle for a medium priced luxury sedan. All the models starting with E
are the same family and the E class is an entire class of its own.
A&B
A Class: The A class is a 5 door hatchback in a class of its own. The CLA only
contains the A because it shares parts and a base with the A class.
B Class: The B class is a compact sports tourer which is essentially a larger more
comfortable version of the A class hatchback. The B lent inspiration to the R class
which is an SUV sized B class called a grand sports tourer. B is also in a class
entirely on its own and lends parts with the A and CLA.
G and M
G Class: G (cross country/off road vehicle) is the original Mercedes SUV and is the

most rugged of all the SUVs. G is the most expensive, technically advanced and off
road capable. It is in the class of SUVs but it is extremely unique compared the
design and capabilities of the other vehicles sharing the G.
M Class: The second consumer SUV by Mercedes. ML definition is ambiguous
compared to the other classes. It was initially meant to be only M and the M Class
was going to replace the G class. Though BMW sued Mercedes because their
vehicles already had a trademarked M distinguishing a sports model. Mercedes
then added the L which is meant to be light weight. The ML has remained in a class
of its own and its plan for domination over the G class has backfired. As of 2016 the
ML has become the GLE (off road/light/executive) meaning the G is linked to the E.
GL/GLS Class: Largest fullsize SUV with seating capacity for 7. GL design came
from the M class but it was determined to keep the name in the G class. The GL will
become the GLS meaning G (suv) is linked with the L to the S (special class). The
GLS will be the SUV equivalent of the S class sedan.
GLK/GLC Class: GLK is now becoming GLC. Under the new naming structure of
Mercedes the L which normally meant light and luxury will serve as a link between
the SUV and the type of sedan class it is closest to. The new GLC will be very
similar to the C class and is meant to be a small compact, economical, entry level
SUV.
GLA Class: GLA is the SUV equivalent of the A class the small hatchback. This
vehicle shares almost all the styling with the sweeping roof line of the A and the
features required to be a G (suv).
Engines:
Each class of car from Mercedes will come with various engine sizes. The size and
power of the engine is indicated by the numbers following the class letter. For
instance a C250 would be a C class with the smallest engine available in the US.
Thus, within a class there can be quite a few variations.
Features:
In addition to the engines differentiating vehicles within a given class the features a
vehicle is equipped with may be indicated on the opposite side from the class and
engine size badging. See table below for that list...
"4MATIC" indicates the vehicle is equipped with all-wheel-drive.
"BlueTEC" indicates a diesel engine with selective catalytic reduction exhaust after
treatment.
"BlueEFFICIENCY" indicates special fuel economy features (direct injection, startstop system, aerodynamic modifications, etc.)
"CGI" (Charged Gasoline Injection) indicates direct gasoline injection.
"CDI" (Common-rail Direct Injection) indicates a common-rail diesel engine.
"Hybrid" indicates a petrol- or diesel-electric hybrid.
"NGT" indicates a natural gas-fueled engine.
"Kompressor" indicates a supercharged engine.
"Turbo" indicates a turbocharged engine, only used on A-, B-,E- and GLK-Class
models
"AMG Line" indicates the interior or engine, depending which car, has been fitted

with the luxuries of their AMG sports car.

There are a few stragglers in the Mercedes family such as the S Class and there
could be another entire article written, which I have, on the SL, SLK, SLS but for
this purpose consider the name structure of the C class sedans. None of the
roadsters are related to the S class. In addition the Mercedes naming structure is
changing in 2015-16 due to the switching around and new development of various
models. Some of this data could be outdated because I have read up entirely on all
the new changes for year 2016, this is only a hobby!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Mercedes-Benz M272 engine is a V6 automobile piston engine family used in the 2000s
(decade). Introduced in 2004, it is based on the M112 V6 introduced in 1998.
All M272 engines have aluminum engine blocks with a 90 vee angle with silicon/aluminum
lined cylinders. The aluminum DOHC cylinder heads have 4 valves per cylinder. Direct injection
is used in a limited fashion on the 3.5 L V6, whereas others use conventional port fuel injection.
All have forged steel connecting rods, one-piece cast crankshaft, iron-coated aluminum pistons
and a magnesium intake manifold. Like the M112, a balance shaft is installed in the engine block
between the cylinder banks to deal with vibrations in the 90 degree V6 design. This essentially
eliminates first and second order moments. A dual-length Variable Length Intake Manifold is
fitted to optimize engine flexibility.
Continuous VVT was adopted for the first time. Featured on both the intake and exhaust
camshafts, each can be varied through a range of 40 degrees. The twin spark plug system was
replaced by a regular single spark plug per cylinder. New electronic coolant flow control has
replaced the mechanical thermostat for improved engine warm-up and optimum control of
engine temperature. Also tumble flaps are used to improve output at low engine speeds.
The E25 is a 2.5 L (2496 cc) version. Bore dimension is 88 mm and stroke is 68.4 mm. Output is
204 PS (201 hp/150 kW) at 6100 rpm with 181 ftlbf (245 Nm) of torque at 2900-5500 rpm.
Applications:

20052011 C230 (renamed C250 in 2010)

20052009 E230

2008present CLC230

The E30 is a 3.0 L (2996 cc) version. Bore is 88 mm and stroke is up to 82 mm. Output is
231 PS (228 hp/170 kW) at 6000 rpm with 221 ftlbf (300 Nm) of torque at 2500-5000 rpm.
Applications:

2004present SLK280

2005present CLS280

2005present CLK280

20052012 C280 (C300 in 2008)

2005present E280 (E300 in 2007)

2005present SL280

2005present Viano

2006present R280

2007present S280

The E35 is a 3.5 L (3498 cc) version. Bore dimension is 92.6 mm and stroke is 86 mm. Output is
272 PS (268 hp/200 kW) at 6000 rpm with 258 ftlbf (350 Nm) of torque at 3500 rpm. A direct
injected variant debuted in 2006 under the name Stratified-Charged Gasoline Injection (CGI).
First fitted to the CLS350 CGI, it produces 292 PS (288 hp/215 kW) and 269 ftlbf (365 Nm) of
torque while lowering fuel consumption. In 2008, the non-CGI engine was uprated to 316 PS
(232 kW) at 6500 rpm and 265 ftlbf (360 Nm) of torque at 4900 rpm. This was achieved by
raising the rev-limit to 7200 rpm, increasing the compression ratio and other modifications to the
valvetrain.
Applications:

2004present SLK350

2004present CLS350

2005present CLK350

2013present C280 (C300 in 2008)

2005present C350

2005present E350

2005present S350

2005present SL350

2006present R350

2006present ML350

2005present Viano

2006present Sprinter

2008present CLC350

20082012 GLK350