Car Acronyms: What Do They Mean?
Here's what some of the most popular acronyms from your favorite car brands actually mean.
Automotive acronyms continue to be used extensively. While most companies typically take two or three letter combinations and turn them into full-on model names – BRZ, MX-5, MKX, for example – it’s often the letters that come after the name that give the biggest clues as to its true identity.
Almost every company from Acura to VW has a unique set of letters that distinguish its cars from the rest of the pack. These are some of the most popular acronyms (and initialisms) and what they actually mean.
Gallery: Car Acronyms: What Do They Mean?
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