Well, yes, many years ago there was a "Chrysler 300C" -- in the late 50's as I recall. Perhaps a little too close to "C 300" in the Mercedes C Class W 204. Strangely, the W 203 C Class for 2007 and a year or two before offered a "C 280" with the identical 3L engine as the '08 W 204 C 300. And now for '09, the SLK 280 (yep with the same 3L engine) is set to become the SLK 300 for '09.
Historically (and until lately) Mercedes' numeric designations were based on the number of liters the engine displaced X 100. For example, the early 50's 170 displaced 1.7L, the 300 SL gullwing displaced 3L, the '99 C 280 displaced 2.8L (not 3L). The examples could go on and on.
What I do not understand is why Mercedes recently abandoned this simple and logical naming system in some cases. There is nothing "280" about the SLK 280. 3L and not 2.8L. Does not have 280 hp. Does not have 280 lbs. ft. of torque. doesn't have 280 anything!
