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Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - Lounge Lizard

I'm thinking of getting one next year; so I've been getting e-mail alerts off Auto Trader, etc. (I've moved away from looking at Ford Modeo Titaniums as comparible Mercs seem to cost not much more?).

My question is: what is the significance of the C200, C220, C250 numbers in the cars' model name?

At first I thought I was being thick and it the engine size (C200 = 2000cc, etc). However, this doesn't seem to be the case after all! Is it to do with the specification level? If so, it's hard to see what the rules are.

Help, please?

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - Bianconeri
Once upon a time it did mean the engine capacity, same went for BMW. Nowadays it tends to mean the relative power of the engine, C220 more powerful than C200 as lng as you are comparing the same fuel type.

Probably more subtle than that for those who love complexity but in simple terms that's pretty close I think.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - gordonbennet

Yes once turbo/supercharging came into it the simple engine cc size model no longer applied, even though it does still seem to apply with the larger petrol engined sporty models, generally with Diesels the higher the number the higher the power output, but no longer a bigger engine, but maybe a bigger engine after all, clear as mud.

Even more confusing now some Benz models that look they should be driven by the correct wheels are in fact wrong wheel drive.

Edited by gordonbennet on 20/12/2015 at 16:10

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - Avant

If you look on the Reviews section of this site (Car-by-car reviews) and go to the Mercedes C-class, then to Specifications, you should find all the information you need.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - jc2

In the old days,A=Ka size,B=Fiesta size,C=Escort,D=Granada.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - Bianconeri

In the old days,A=Ka size,B=Fiesta size,C=Escort,D=Granada.

That's more which market segment, the MB C-Class and its 190 predecessor are Mondeo-sized and the E-Class is a step bigger and the S-Class bigger still. I know there are lots of other MB "letters" these days but that was the oecking order in the good old days.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - John F

Now they no longer have much meaning, I offer the following....

A - accident prone (elk test)

B - budget

C - common

E - executive

G - grunt

S - swagger

Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes Benz: What does the C Number mean? - Avant

Not to mention R = rolling in it, and V= Van.