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Mercedes-Benz revealed its 'near-production-standard study' i.e. near-production ready, GLC Coupe at the Shanghai Motor Show, earlier this week. The GLC Coupé, in case you were wondering, is the BMW X4 to the GLE's BMW X6 - the baby brother in Mercedes' battle with BMW in the SUV-cum-coupé stakes.
Outside
Based on the standard GLC, which is set to arrive on these shores in late summer, the Coupé is the sportier member of the family with the looks to go with it. The concept that will debut in China wears the 'twin-blade' grille that is reserved for sportier Mercedes models and a powerdome on the bonnet that has something to do with a 'Born to race on every ground' ideal that Mercedes marketing department is applying to the GLC Coupé. There are also oversized intakes in the front bumper (expect them to be a smidgen smaller when it comes to production), plenty of protective cladding to give the concept that 'go anywhere' look and 21-inch alloy wheels to completely take it away again.
Four exhaust pipes, arranged in two stacks of two, give the rear end with its steeply raked roofline an extra touch of sportiness, but all in all the GLC Coupé looks like a GLE Coupé that has gone through a hot cycle.
Under the bonnet
To show the production intent of the concept, Mercedes-Benz stayed away from fitting it with an advanced hybrid system or an engine that runs on unobtanium, instead preferring to power it with a conventional V6 unit. The 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 petrol engine is said to be good for 367hp and 520Nm of torque, which should give the car the go to match its show. The engine is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission with 'Direct Select' shift and Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The official word?
Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG, seems happy with the concept: "With its modern and sensual design idiom, the Concept GLC Coupé gives a foretaste of future SUV models from Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, it embraces the typical values of tradition-steeped Mercedes-Benz coupés".