What are the different classes of Mercedes Benz?

This article will briefly explain the history of Mercedes Benz and answer the following questions: what are the different classes in Mercedes Benz cars? What are the latest engines in Mercedes Benz?

What are the different classes of Mercedes Benz?

Mercedes Benz currently comes under a bigger automotive group based in Stuttgart Germany called ad Daimler AG. Daimler AG manufactures Mercedes Benz passenger cars, there are seven main classes and a dedicated G class for all the sports utility vehicles (SUV) models. 

The factory in Stuttgart, Germany is the mother factory, all the development, production and shipment of engines, transmissions and CKDs are shipped from this location. It is also the headquarters of the Daimler AG, recently named as Mercedes Benz group AG. The Stuttgart factory has a history extending back over 115 years and it is the highest tech location for the production of cars and hybrid drive systems. 

From 1926 to 1998 they were known as Daimler-Benz AG. However, as of Feb 1 2022, Daimler AG has renamed itself as Mercedes Benz group AG.

A brief look into Mercedes Benz history.

In 1886, Karl Benz invented the modern-day car with the petrol engine and during the same period, Gottlieb Daimler and his business partner William Maybach were in the business of converting stagecoaches by adding petrol engines.

 A European automobile entrepreneur Emil Jellinek first marketed the automobile by naming it after his daughter Mercedes Jellinek. 1901 Mercedes powered by a 35 brake horsepower engine became known as 1901 Mercedes. 

The production of the first Branded Mercedes Benz started in 1926 when the two companies of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler merged and created the Daimler Benz company.

Since then Mercedes Benz has developed and introduced many electrical and Mechanical innovations and safety features in its cars. Currently, the S Class is the most technologically advanced vehicle on the road. 

All the generations of S class always featured innovations like airbags, passenger seat airbags etc. Mercedes Benz is well known and one of the oldest manufacturing brands in the world.

By renaming Daimler AG to Mercedes Benz AG, the focus is back on producing electric and most desirable cars in the world. 

Different classes available in Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz produces cars across various platforms like sedans, SUVS, Compact SUVs, Estate. The many engines and transmission options are available for different model series. Mercedes Benz built to order allows for different choices of interior, driver assistance systems and accessories to be fitted to vehicles during the production. Following are some popular Mercedes Benz models

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class- Model series W177 is a subcompact hatchback produced under NGC new generation cars. The class has AMG 35 and 45 high-performance models. It is also available in estate and sedan body types. GLA is also based on the A-class platform, it is a Compact SUV with larger tyres and better ground clearance.

• Mercedes-Benz B class- B class model series W246 is also a compact hatchback with emphasis on cargo space. It is an NGC car and also available in compact SUV GLB with 7 seats. There is no AMG for the B class model series. Model series EQB is a recently launched full electric car based on the B class platform. It is available in single motor 2 wheel drive and twin motor 4 wheel drive variants.

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class- the C class model series W205 is a standard sized sedan from Mercedes Benz. It is also available in the AMG line and AMG 63 model series. The C class coupe comes with a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The C class comes in a soft-top convertible model. 

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class- The E class model series w/v213 is the most popular and highest selling Mercedes Benz model in premium sedans. A longer wheelbase version is also sold in markets like India and China. It is the second most technologically advanced car in the Mercedes Benz line-up. E Cabriolet is a soft-top two-door coupe available with a 4 and 6 cylinder petrol engine.

• Mercedes Benz S class. The S class model series W223 is the most premium sedan and also the most technologically advanced vehicle from Mercedes Benz. S class comes with a luxury Maybach model and high-performance S 63 amg with sports coupe version.

• Mercedes-Benz GLC-The GLC model series X253 is the start in the SUV family of Mercedes Benz with a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The EQC full electric car is based on the GLC platform. GLC comes with inline 4 cylinder diesel and petrol engine. High-performance GLC 63 AMG has a bigger 8 cylinder V8 engine with a cylinder shut-off function for better fuel economy. AMG Line model GLC 43 has a V6 engine and all-wheel-drive system. AIRMATIC suspension is only available on AMG line and AMG models.

• Mercedes-Benz GLE- GLE model series X167 is the full-sized SUV available in a more powerful 6 cylinder turbo diesel engine. In some markets, it has a 7 seat version. The GLE also features AIRMATIC suspension. GLE specialises in off-road driving conditions, special driving modes and torque distribution can send 100 % of power to the wheel that has grip. The newly developed pneumatic and hydraulic suspension can also rock the car if the car is stuck off-road.

• Mercedes-Benz GLS- GLS model series X167 is the largest SUV from Mercedes Benz. It also comes in a luxury GLS Maybach model with a hybrid hydraulic and Airmatic suspension system. It is a bigger version of the GLE with the same engine and transmission options. There is a 5 seater GLS 63 AMG model which focuses on giving high performance. Previously the GLE and GLS were known as the M class which was discontinued.

There are compact SUV models based on the A & B class platform known as GLA and GLB. 

Engines are used in different classes of Mercedes Benz cars.

Mercedes Benz has inline 4 and 6 cylinder petrol and diesel engines. AMG and AMG line models also use V6 and V8 engines which produce more power compared to standard models.  Engines in petrol variants are M274, M264, M276 and AMG M177. 

The petrol engine produces power between 115kW till 225kW and AMG produces up to 375kW. M274 is replaced by the M264 engine, M264 is also available with a 48V belt-driven starter and alternator. M256 is an inline 6 cylinder petrol engine with an integrated starter generator. All the ancillary components are electric and there is no V belt on the crank pulley.

Diesel variants use OM 654 & OM656 with AdBlue injection system for exhaust after-treatment producing a maximum power output of 140kW and 400NM torque.  Diesel engines are equipped with low and high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation to reduce NOX emissions. ADBLUE injection with selective catalytic reduction can be also found in the latest models. These exhaust gas after treatments are present to fulfil emission regulations.

Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in

Are Mercedes cheaper in Germany?

Is Mercedes Benz a German car company?

Where is the location of the 12 V sockets in the Mercedes Benz E Class?

Conclusion 

Mercedes Benz offers more than seven different classes with choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric drivetrain. All the classes are updated after 3-4 years and a facelift model is introduced to stay updated with the market. At the end of the 7-year product cycle, the model series changes and a newly designed model is launched in the market.