Confused about model naming: GLA CLA

[sausage]

Morning all.
I understood A, B. C, E, S class etc. I understood most model naming from most manufactures, apart from the Asian manufactures if course.

What is CLA and GLA? One a saloon, one a SUV. The LA seems to have no relevance to how a C or a G was changed to become the CLA or the GLA. Also, the CLA and the GLA seem to have no relation to each other.

Does "LA" stand for something that indicates how the C class or the G class has been changed to became the CLA or GLA ?

 

[Blobcat]

CL refers to a sporty type coupe shape as in CL or CLS.

The CLS was popular so they made a smaller one based on the A-Class (CLS was based on the E-Class) called the CLA.

Likewise the G-Wagons have a popular following so to capitalise on that the ML was renamed GLE, smaller one GLC all the way down to GLA.

G basically means “Stupid Utility Vehicle” (Other opinions are available…)

 

[Gazwould]

Then there's the Japanese GLA that's actually a better prospect !

 

[sausage]

Thanks Blobcat. Understood

 

[keefysher]

CL refers to a sporty type coupe shape as in CL or CLS.

The CLS was popular so they made a smaller one based on the A-Class (CLS was based on the E-Class) called the CLA.

Likewise the G-Wagons have a popular following so to capitalise on that the ML was renamed GLE, smaller one GLC all the way down to GLA.

G basically means “Stupid Utility Vehicle” (Other opinions are available…)

To correct my poorly edumacated friend from the wastelands the G is Gelandewagen, a utilitarian vehicle that if we were wise would buy one and not need another vehicle in our lifetime. It can be a drop top, like my pe friend drives, as well as a tug, like I drive, a removals wagon, a footballers car, or a DJ.

As my pe friend states, the C and G, plus the L indicating a coop except the B currently, or softroader followed by the A,B,C,E&S relate to your well understood old skool nomenclature.

Simple when you know

 

[Naraic]

So, you have the A class (saloon and hatchback) with CLA and GLA derivatives. And the EQA.
Then you have the B Class with the GLB derivative. And the EQB.
Then the C Class with Coupe, CLC and GLC derivatives. And the EQC.
Then the E class with Coupe, CLS and GLE derivatives.
Then the S Class with the GLS derivative. And the EQS.

And so on. I think of it as A B C E and S classes...with derivatives in the coupe and suv sectors, and so on.

 

[Craiglxviii]

To correct my poorly edumacated friend from the wastelands the G is Gelandewagen, a utilitarian vehicle that if we were wise would buy one and not need another vehicle in our lifetime. It can be a drop top, like my pe friend drives, as well as a tug, like I drive, a removals wagon, a footballers car, or a DJ.

As my pe friend states, the C and G, plus the L indicating a coop except the B currently, or softroader followed by the A,B,C,E&S relate to your well understood old skool nomenclature.

Simple when you know

Just to add re my pe friend from Hants, the “L” in the designation originally stood for Lightweight (Leichtes) and “K” for Short (Kurz). Hence CLK being Coupe Leichtes Kurz (Coupe, Lightweight, Short) as distinct from CL (Coupe, Lightweight- although no one could call a CL lightweight). Also, SLK / SLC vs SL with the S standing for Sport.

Now however the third letter defines where that model exists in the lineup, eg SLC exists in the C Class lineup.

 

[Naraic]

And yet, the original SLC in the '70s definitely wasn't in the C Class line up!

 

[Blobcat]

And yet, the original SLC in the '70s definitely wasn't in the C Class line up!

That was a SL Coupe (SLC…)
Like the SEC was a coupe of the SE

 

[richlumb]

G basically means “Stupid Utility Vehicle” (Other opinions are available…)

No need sir ! That hate speech belongs in the “other” Mercedes owners club !

 

[Blobcat]

No need sir ! That hate speech belongs in the “other” Mercedes owners club !

Other????