The A to Z of car name acronyms
We've put together the A to Z of car name acronyms so you'll know your AMGs to your 2CVs.Acronyms are around us everywhere from the names of our major banks (NAB, ANZ, CBA), how we indicate where we live (NSW, SA, ACT) and even the way we speak to and message each other (LOL, BTW, WTF). Our cars are a rolling acronym machine too with all the tech and features inside them filled with abbreviated names galore. Then there are the brand names and models themselves. So what do they actually mean?
AMG
As in: Mercedes-Benz AMG
Meaning: Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach. The first two words are the last names of the performance engine maker's founders, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. The last word, Großaspach, is the name of the city in Germany where Aufrecht was born.
ASX
As in: Mitsubishi ASX
Meaning: Active Sports Crossover with the X signifying the car's status as a crossover vehicle.
BMW
As in: BMW
Meaning: Bayerische Motoren Werke or in English, Bavarian Motor Works.
BRZ
As in: Subaru BRZ
Meaning: B stands for boxer engine, R for rear-wheel drive and Z for zenith, as in the ultimate passion for sports cars.
BYD
As in: BYD
Meaning: Build Your Dreams
bZ4X
As in: Toyota bZ4X
Meaning: bZ means beyond Zero emissions, describing the nature of battery-electric cars, while 4X connotes the car being a crossover SUV.
C-HR
As in: Toyota C-HR
Meaning: Compact High-Rider as well as Cross Hatch Run-about.
CR-V
As in: Honda CR-V
Meaning: Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.
DBX
As in: Aston Martin DBX
Meaning: The DB used on multiple Aston Martin models including the DB5 and DBS actually stands for David Brown, who purchased Aston Martin in 1947. The X is for crossover.
FIAT
As in: FIAT
Meaning: Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino, in English translates to Italian automobile factory, Torino.
GR
As in: Toyota Yaris GR
Meaning: Gazoo Racing.
GTI
As in: Volkswagen Golf GTI
Meaning: Grand Touring Injection.
GT-R
As in: Nissan GT-R
Meaning: Gran Turismo Racer.
GWM
As in: GWM
Meaning: Great Wall Motors
HR-V
As in: Honda HR-V
Meaning: Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle.
ID.
As in: Volkswagen ID.4
Meaning: intelligent design, identity, and visionary technologies.
LDV
As in: LDV
Meaning: Leyland DAF Vans.
LEAF
As in: Nissan LEAF
Meaning: Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable, Family Car.
Lexus
As in: Lexus
Meaning: Luxury exports to the US.
MG
As in: MG
Meaning: Morris Garages, the name chosen by the company's founder Cecil Kimber as a show of respect for his then boss William Morris.
MU-X
As in: Isuzu MU-X
Meaning: Mysterious Utility – eXtreme.
MX-5
As in: Mazda MX-5
Meaning: Mazda Experiment and project number 5.
NISMO
As in: Nissan 370Z NISMO
Meaning: Nissan Motorsport International Limited.
RAV4
As in: Toyota RAV4
Meaning: Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel-drive.
RS
As in: Ford Focus RS
Meaning: Rally Sport/Rallye Sports. RS can also mean Rennsport which is the German word for stand for racing sport or motorsport.
R.S.
As in: Renault Megane R.S.
Meaning: Renault Sport.
RCZ
As in: Peugeot RCZ
Meaning: Racing Concept Zagato.
SAAB
As in: SAAB
Meaning: Svenska Aeroplan Aktie Bolag, meaning Swedish Aeroplane Company Limited.
SRT
As in: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8
Meaning: Street & Racing Technology.
SS
As in: Holden Commodore SS
Meaning: Super Sport.
ST
As in: Ford Fiesta ST
Meaning: Sports Tuned.
STI
As in: Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Meaning: Subaru Tecnica international.
WRX
As in: Subaru WRX
Meaning: World Rally Experimental.
XV
As in: Subaru XV
Meaning: Crossover Vehicle.
2CV
As in: Citroen 2CV
Meaning: Deux Chevaux, which in English translates to two horses.
Related: How these famous car brands got their names
Related: The origins of famed car brand logos
Related: The car brands who have changed their logo in 2021
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