Originally Posted by 420SEL

The letter designations differ for where they appear in sequence, and are not always the same. Also the letter are abbreviations for German words. The E in E class means Executive (for Executive Class) The S in S class means Supra, or supreme or something. The E in SEL is an abbriviation for fuel injections and the L in SEL is for long (long wheelbase). The K in SLK was for kompressor, but now there are SLKs without superchargers and they just kept the name. I don't know what the C in C Class or CLK stand for. The SL stands for sports light (but in German of course) even though they really aren't that light a car. T either designates a station wagon or a turbo. D usually diesel. M must be German for something just like the G wagons Galendan (sorry for spelling) means off road in German. Since 93 (I think) they have dropped the EL from the SELs and now the trunk badge doesn't designate a vehichle lenght. Also they have had fuel injection for so long that maybe they thought it was redundant to put it on the badge. That's all I know. Anybody please feel free to correct me if I am wrong or add some insight if you have it.