Name change for Mercedes-Benz SUV range: report

MERCEDES-BENZ’s M-Class will become the GLE-Class from next year as part of the German car-maker’s plan to rename its SUV models and bring them into line with their sedan siblings, according to overseas reports.

The first public mention of the name change to GLE appeared on the Mercedes-Benz Museum’s blog earlier this week.

It is believed that Mercedes-Benz wants to align its SUV range with the sedan line-up, while clarifying and organising its naming system.

The German car-maker already offers the A-Class-based GLA compact SUV and when the new-generation GLK arrives next year it is expected to be renamed GLC to indicate its C-Class connection.

The GLE therefore is the SUV equivalent of the E-Class sedan.

While the upcoming new BMW X6-rivaling ML Coupe is being referred to as the MLC, it will reportedly follow the new naming structure and be called the GLC.

Mercedes-Benz Australia told GoAuto it had no comment to make on the subject.

The company recently changed the name of its CL-Class two-door to the S-Class Coupe for the new-gen model that was revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year.

The ML-Class SUV launched in 1997 and instantly became a worldwide hit, particularly in the United States. While the new naming system could make it easier for new buyers, it is unclear how die-hard fans of the brand will react after nearly 18 years of the ML.