Mercedes Trademarks Model Names Including S73 And A40

Think you’ve just about got a handle on Mercedes’ current naming structure? Tough luck - it looks like it’s all about to change.

Autoguide reports that the German brand has trademarked a series of new model names across Canada and several other markets, and they are (deep breath): A40, CLA40, SLC40, SLC50, GLE50, CLA50, CLA53, G73, S73 and - weirdest of all - Turbo 48.

It’s hard to know if the 40 and 50 models will be regular Mercedes-Benz models, or designated as Mercedes-AMG. If it’s the former, this could indicate that in some markets Mercedes is about to drop its convention of reserving two-digit numbers for the AMG stuff, and using three-digit numbers for everything else.

The CLA53 name is perhaps the most confusing, as up until this point we’d assumed ‘53 would be reserved for cars powered by Mercedes-AMG’s new mild hybrid straight-six powertrain, which will be making its debut in the CLS53. That engine/motor setup won’t fit in the next CLA (which is set to be produced alongside a new A-Class saloon, just to make things even more complicated), so your guess as to what the CLA53 will be is as good as ours.

‘73 is a designation we haven’t seen on a Mercedes since the R129 SL73, and it’s most likely being resurrected for models with the new hybrid AMG V8 powertrain that’ll be seen first in the AMG GT saloon. And Turbo 48? That one’s only been trademarked in Canada thus far. Autoguide speculates that it’ll be used as supplementary badging for any models with the 48-volt mild hybrid system, which sounds perfectly plausible to us.

Does this all make sense to you, or will it make you more confused about the massive and convoluted Mercedes range than ever? Let us know in the comments.