Car acronyms have been extensively used among car brands. While most automakers typically take 2 or 3 combined letters to make full variant names, others put the acronyms after the model name as the closest clues about its true identity. In this article, we will introduce several most popular car acronyms and their exact meanings.
1. Nissan
Nissan’s Nismo performance division, similar to the GT-R sports model, is an acronym in itself.
- GT-R: Gran Turismo Racer
- NISMO: Nissan Motorsport International Limited
Nissan’s Nismo performance division is also an acronym in itself
2. Porsche
The GTS acronym you find at the rear of many Porsches such as the Panamera, 718 Boxster, and the new Porsche 911 stands for “Grand Turismo Sport.”
The GTS acronym stands for “Grand Turismo Sport”
3. Subaru
The STI and WRX suffixes have been included to Subaru models’ name since the early 1990s.
- STI: Subaru Tecnica International
- WRX: World Rally Experimental / World Rally Cross
The STI and WRX monikers have been included to Subaru models’ name since the early 1990s
4. Acura
The fresh TMU + IPU entails the Acura NSX are among Acura’s most popular car acronyms.
- TMU + IPU: Twin Motor Unit + Intelligent Power Unit
- P-AWS: Precision All-Wheel Steer
- SH-AWD: Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
- NSX: New, Sportscar, Experimental
The new TMU + IPU used on the Acura NSX are among Acura’s most popular acronyms
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5. Chevrolet
SS, RS, LS and are three of Chevy’s most notable variants, each features an array of options and performance capabilities that differentiate one from the others.
- SS: Super Sport
- RS: Rally Sport
- LS: Luxury Sport
SS, RS, LS and are three of Chevy’s most notable variants
6. Ferrari
Ferrari steals the idea of its acronym from its F1 models. “T” suggests the turbocharged mill as seen in the California cabriolet, and the 312T’s transversely-mounted transmission. Do you think it is an interesting car acronym meaning?
- M: Modificato
- T: Turbocharged/Transverse
- KERS: Kinetic Energy Recovery System
“T” suggests the turbocharged engine
7. Fiat
The full name of Fiat is “Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino” (Italian automobile factory, Torino).
The full name of Fiat is “Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino”
8. Jaguar
The British company uses “SVR” acronym to its F-Type sports vehicles.
- SVO: Special Vehicle Operations
- SVR: Special Vehicle Racing
The British company uses “SVR” acronym to its F-Type sports vehicles
9. Dodge
The R/T moniker, which first appeared in 1967, stands for Road/Track while the Dodge SRT badge means even more power.
- 392: Cubic Inches of 6.4L V8
- SRT: Street & Racing Technology
- R/T: Road/Track
The Dodge SRT badge means even more power
10. BMW
BMW is short for Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Work). Other noted acronyms include:
- VANOS: “Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung” (Variable Camshaft Timing)
- SAV: Sports Activity Vehicle
BMW is short for Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Work)
11. Alfa Romeo
The letters A, D, and N are prominently shown off near the gear lever on every new Alfa Romeo.
- A.L.F.A: [Società] Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (Lombard Automobile Factory Company (until 1920))
- D: Dynamic
- N: Natural
- A: All Weather Modes
The letters A, D, and N are prominently shown off near the gear lever on every new Alfa Romeo
12. Lamborghini
The Lamborghini Murcielago, Diablo and Aventador wears “SV” (SuperVeloce) acronym that implies the highest in performance in the fleet.
“SV” is short for SuperVeloce
13. Ford
Here are some Ford’s well-known car acronyms used on its high-performance cars like the GT and the Mustang:
- RS: Rally Sport
- ST: Sport Technologies
- SVT: Special Vehicle Team
- SHO: Super High Output
Ford uses well-known car acronyms used on its high-performance cars
14. Infiniti
In 2010, the Infiniti’s IPL badge is introduced for the first time along with some go-fast bits on the Infinity G37 allowing it to muster 348 hp. Concurrently, an AWD variant also joined the lineup, marked by an X.
- IPL: Infiniti Performance Line
- X: All-Wheel Drive
The Infiniti’s IPL badge is introduced for the first time in 2010
15. Lexus
The company uses “F” for its top-of-the-line models, which implies not only the “flagship” vehicles, but also the company’s home track – Fuji Speedway.
“F” also implies the Lexus’s home track – Fuji Speedway
16. Honda
Two of its best-known acronyms, the Type R and Si monikers, denote plenty of power and torque steer generated by Honda’s VTEC engine.
- VTEC: Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control
- Type R: Racing
- Si: Sport Injected
The Type R and Si monikers are two of Honda’s best-known acronyms
17. Volkswagen
“GTI” is the abbreviation for “Grand Touring Injection” which is the 2.0L turbocharged engine from Volkswagen. The R trim of the VW Golf, meanwhile, signifies “Racing.”
- GTI: Grand Touring Injection 2.0L turbocharged engine
- R: Racing
- TSI: Turbocharged Stratified Injection
- TDI: Turbocharged Direct Injection
“GTI” is the abbreviation for “Grand Touring Injection”
18. Mercedes-Benz (AMG)
“AMG” is an acronym for “Aufrecht Melcher Großaspac.” The acronym contains names of Erhard Melcher and Hans Werner Aufrecht - two Mercedes-Benz AMG founders and Großaspach which is Aufrecht’s birthplace in Germany.
“AMG” is an acronym for “Aufrecht Melcher Großaspac.”
In addition, Mercedes fans may be quite familiar to 4Matic (or the stylized 4MATIC). This is the marketing name of an all-wheel drive system developed by the German marque.
