The Mercedes-Benz brand is continuously evolving, and that means revisiting and revising certain practices. In a rapidly expanding, competitive, and often times confusing automotive industry, the Stuttgart-based luxury automaker wants to provide customers with a simple and transparent way of navigating its ever-expanding portfolio of vehicles, drivetrains, and other special designations.

The most immediate and obvious changes will take place with Mercedes-Benz crossover and SUV models, which will now all be designated by the letter “G” and followed by further model designation.

Here is a look at the new crossover and SUV designations:

  • GLA = GL A-Class
  • GLC = GL C-Class; previously GLK
  • GLE = GL E-Class; previously M-Class or ML
  • GLE Coupé = GL E-Class Coupé
  • GLS = GL S-Class; previously GL
  • G = unchanged

Nomenclature for the remaining lineup remains relatively unchanged. However, Mercedes-Benz is changing the designation for its roadster models, where the smaller SLK now becomes the SLC.

Similarly, drivetrain designations are getting a revamp. So, for example, "BlueTEC," "Electric Drive," "CDI," and even "Hybrid" will get phased out in favor of one-letter add-ons. What will not change, however, is the current 4MATIC® designation that applies to Mercedes-Benz models equipped with all-wheel drive.

  • c – Compressed natural gas, currently "Natural Gas Drive"
  • d – Diesel, currently written as "BlueTEC" or "CDI"
  • e – Electric, which replaces "PLUG-IN HYBRID," "BlueTEC PLUG-IN HYBRID," and "Electric Drive"
  • f – Fuel cell, or "F-CELL"
  • h – Hybrids, including BlueTEC HYBRID

So, for example, what is currently known as the GL350 BlueTEC will become the GLS350d, while the current E400 Hybrid will become the E400h.

Finally, Mercedes-Benz is reintroducing its ultra-luxurious Maybach brand, which will now operate as a sub brand for Mercedes-Benz models. The first model to brandish both the Mercedes-Benz and Maybach name will be the Mercedes-Maybach S600, which recently made its debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

As you can see, the naming structure for Maybach will operate in the same way as the AMG® brand, which recently reshuffled model designations with the Mercedes-AMG® GT and Mercedes-AMG® C63.

Change can be difficult, but with Mercedes-Benz revitalizing virtually its entire SUV model range in 2015, as well as reintroducing the Maybach brand, now is the perfect time to rename and simplify the automaker’s entire family of vehicles.

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Image: Mercedes-Benz