Why did MB change large 'D' for smaller 'd' on rear badges

PINBALL

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Seems odd to me that my old 2002 320D - has a large capital 'D' after engine size, whereas later models changed to a smaller 'd'

Its a mystery to me.

Anyone wiser on this please ?
 

L John

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I'd wondered that too. From Wikepedia...
"Some models in the 1950s also had lower-case letters (b, c, and d) to indicate specific trim levels."

It's not clear if it was just some random models or if it was to indicate a lower trim level, I cant see a lower case indicating a higher trim level.
Mercedes model letters and numbers have been made increasingly confusing over recent years.
 

Wabby

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D is for DIRTY DIESEL.
Now they are so friendly to the flutterbys, its now just d for diesel.
 

Naraic

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Small d looks better.
 

d215yq

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Mercedes model letters and numbers have been made increasingly confusing over recent years.

Not sure about that, atleast they call the car by the model and not just the engine size. Every parts website has mine down as a different model. I've had "W124 class", "sedan", "300", "300D" and E-class. The one that calls it a 300 groups it with some 1960s model of the same engine size and an SL also with a 3.0 engine.
 

Naraic

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It does seem a bit more straightforward now.

You have the A class which is Axxx if it's a normal hatchback, it's CLAxxx if it's the (ugly) 4 door coupe, it's GLAxxx if an SUV.

Same for the C class, Cxxx, CLAxxx and GLAxxx.

And the E, GLE (though the CLS still hasn't been renamed CLE).

The S class, and GLS.
 

L John

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What displacement would a C63 be?

A. 6.2L
B. 4L
C. Either of the above.
 

John Laidlaw

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The small d came about when they introduced the plug in hybrids and designated those e (also in lower case), I believe it’s an attempt at subtlety !
 

LostKiwi

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Used to be simple. A,C,E etc for the model. 140,160,180,200,220 etc for the engine capacity. TD,CDI for devils fuel and no health warning for petrols.

Kompressor for forced induction.

Simples.

Now a 200, 220 and 250 are the same engine capacity. Same with the V6s.

As for V8s.....
 

Yugguy

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Same as a lot of cars. The latest BMW 320, 325 and 328 are all 2.0 turbo. The 118 and 120 are actually 1.6 turbo.
 

LostKiwi

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Same as a lot of cars. The latest BMW 320, 325 and 328 are all 2.0 turbo. The 118 and 120 are actually 1.6 turbo.
It would make more sense if the numbers were horsepower. Gives an easy direct comparison then.
 

JBell

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What are these badges you speak of?????
 

L John

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It would make more sense if the numbers were horsepower. Gives an easy direct comparison then.

Agree with that ^

People always knew a cars engine displacement by the numbers, a 1600 was 1600cc (well actually the displacement was always up to around 50cc less but the number was rounded up)
We all knew a 1600 had less power than a 1600 turbo.
With so many ways of getting more out of a smaller engine I understand them wanting to big it up but the numbers are silly and pointless.
Horsepower would be a level playing field.
 

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