See what happens when you ask a simple question around here?
The CAR designation was originally meant to identify a 16" bbl, folding stock, carbine version of the AR. The general consensus is that it means Carbine AR, some think it means Compact AR. My wife says it means Cute AR.
BTW, AR originaly stood for Armalite Rifle, but since Colt made them for the army the common usuage evolved into Automatic Rifle. Eg, Colt Automatic Rifle.
So take your pick.