Top 3 Letter Car Models- Complete List
What Are Letter Car Models?
Letter car models are vehicles identified primarily by alphanumeric designations rather than full names. BMW started this trend with their M-series, Audi followed with S and RS designations, and Mercedes built an entire naming convention around letters.
These designations tell you exactly what you're getting. No guessing games. The letter tells you the performance tier, the engine type, and roughly how much power sits under the hood.
That's the point. Car manufacturers created these naming systems so buyers could instantly decode performance levels without memorizing a hundred different model names.
How Letter Designations Work
Each manufacturer has their own system. Here's how the major brands stack up:
BMW
BMW uses M for Motorsport. M cars are the full factory performance builds. M3, M4, M5, M8. These have specially tuned engines, upgraded suspensions, and brakes that can actually handle track use.
The number after M tells you the size class. M3 and M4 share platforms but differ in body style. M5 is larger. M8 is the flagship.
Audi
Audi uses S for Sport and RS for Rennsport (German for racing). S models have more power than the standard lineup but aren't full performance builds. RS models are the serious track weapons.
RS3, RS4, RS6, RSQ8. Each one gets a turbocharged engine with substantially more grunt than the S versions.
Mercedes-AMG
Mercedes went all-in on letters. C43, C63, E63, S63. The number tells you the engine output roughly. Higher numbers mean more power.
Mercedes also uses EQ Boost on some models for hybrid assistance. The letters keep multiplying.
Top 3 Letter Car Models You Should Know
Here's the honest breakdown. Not the flashiest, not the most expensive. The letter models that actually deliver what the badge promises.
1. BMW M3 Competition
The M3 Competition is the benchmark for sport sedans. 503 horsepower from a twin-turbo inline-six. Rear-wheel drive with a manual option, or all-wheel drive if you want to actually use that power in bad weather.
It drives like a smaller car than it is. The steering feedback is genuinely good, which is rare in modern cars where everything is numb and electronic.
Yes, the kidney grilles are huge. Yes, people will have opinions. The car doesn't care. It hauls.
2. Audi RS6 Avant
Nobody needs a 621-horsepower wagon. That's exactly why the RS6 Avant exists. It's a family hauler that willembarrass sports cars at the track.
Twin-turbo V8, all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension. You can daily drive this thing and show up to a track day without swapping cars.
The trunk space is obscene. You could fit a week's worth of groceries and still have room for track tires.
3. Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
The new C63 switched to a hybrid setup. 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder plus electric motor equals 670 horsepower. The old V8 made more noise, but this setup makes more power.
All-wheel drive comes standard. The rear end can actually step out when you want it to, but the system keeps you pointed in the right direction when you're being stupid.
It's controversial among purists. The old C63 was a bruiser. This one is a bruiser with better fuel economy and instant torque from the electric motors.
Letter Model Comparison Table
| Model | Engine | Horsepower | Drivetrain | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M3 Competition | 3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 | 503 hp | RWD/AWD | 3.4 sec |
| Audi RS6 Avant | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 | 621 hp | AWD | 3.1 sec |
| Mercedes C63 S E | 2.0L Turbo + Electric | 670 hp | AWD | 3.3 sec |
Getting Started: Choosing Your Letter Model
Here's what actually matters when you're narrowing down your choice:
- Daily driving vs. weekend warrior — The RS6 Avant wins if you need to haul stuff and people. The M3 is better if you want a sports car that happens to have back seats.
- Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive — RWD is more fun when conditions are perfect. AWD actually lets you use the power when it's wet, cold, or you're not a professional driver.
- Manual vs. automatic — BMW still offers a manual on the M3. Audi and Mercedes dropped manuals entirely. If you wantrow your own gears, the M3 is your only option from this list.
- Running costs — These aren't cheap to maintain. Plan for premium fuel, expensive tires, and brake jobs that cost more than a Honda Civic's annual insurance.
Test drive all three if you can. Numbers on paper don't tell you how a car feels. The M3 feels twitchy and alive. The RS6 feels like a cheat code. The C63 feels like a computer that's learned to drive very aggressively.
Which one fits your life? That's the only question that matters.