Mercedes reveals GLC Coupe

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new GLC Coupe, a sportier looking version of the GLC SUV.

Hot on the heels of the announcement of theMercedes-AMG GLC 43, the Stuttgart concern has confirmed that the GLC Coupe is going on sale. Previously seen in (barely-different) concept form at the 2015 Beijing Motor Show, this is a rival to theBMW X4.

The GLC Coupe looks broadly like you might expect: a shrunken version of the GLE Coupe, with the face of a GLC. Which is not to say it isn't handsome, as these coupe-SUVs go. At 4,730mm long and 1,600mm tall, the GLC Coupe is 80mm longer and 40mm lower than the regular GLC. Up to about the base of the A-pillars, it's the same as the GLC, but from that point on, things change; said pillars are less steeply raked here and the roofline is more curvaceous. Interestingly, the GLC Coupe does away with a rear wiper, as Mercedes says the 'airflow does not break away until after the spoiler lip, which means that water is unable to strike the rear window'. Neat.

At the rear is the handsome current Mercedes-Benz coupe styling, which we've seen on the S-Class, GLE and C-Class derivatives that have all been launched recently. Options for the GLC Coupe include LED High Performance headlights, side running boards and alloy wheels that start at 18 inches and go up to whopping 20s. The rear lamps are LED as standard, with their own distinctive light signature.

The Mercedes GLC Coupe is both aerodynamic and relatively light. The car has a Cd value of 0.31, allowing it to slip smoothly through the air, while the GLC Coupe 250 weighs 1,710kg, making it one of the slimmest cars in its segment.

Dominated by a large, one-piece console panel that sweeps below a semi-integrated media display, the interior is once again familiar from the GLC and other Mercedes products. AMG Line spec brings sports seats with Artico man-made leather and Dinamica microfibre seats, while two-tone leather is an option. Even as standard, the GLC Coupe should be reasonably well-equipped, with an automatic tailgate, 20 CD multimedia system, reversing camera and keyless go expected to all be part of the package, as well as the necessary driver assist and safety systems. Finally, behind the occupants is a boot that starts off at 491 litres and which expands to 1,205 litres with the rear seats folded away.

Mercedes says that, by the end of 2016, there will be eight model variants of GLC Coupe, four diesel and four petrol, but for the launch there will be the 220 d, 250 d and 250 petrol, all of which feature 4Matic all-wheel drive. The 220 d delivers 170hp, 400Nm, 5.1 litres/100km (55.4mpg) and CO2 emissions from 134g/km, with performance rated at 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h. The 250 d produces 204hp and 500Nm, although Mercedes claims it is as good on fuel/emissions as the 220 d, and as a result of the power increase the 0-100km/h time drops to 7.6 seconds with a higher top speed of 222km/h.

The four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine in the GLC Coupe 250 has 211hp and 350Nm, enough for 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds and the same top speed as the 250 d. Fuel consumption is 7.0 litres/100km (40.4mpg) and CO2 emissions start at 159g/km. And the drivetrain from that aforementioned Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 will be ported over into the new body style, the 367hp 3.0-litre biturbo V6 capable of shifting the GLC Coupe from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.

For eco-buffs, there will be a GLC Coupe 350 e 4Matic plug-in hybrid, which has a system output of 320hp and which can cover more than 30 kilometres on electric power alone. Capable of 235km/h flat out and 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, the 350 e has lowly CO2 emissions of between 59- and 64g/km, which is highly impressive stuff. The 350 e is the only GLC Coupe with the seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic; all other models get the new nine-speed 9G-Tronic unit.

To reinforce the sporty theme of the GLC Coupe over the more upright GLC, various dynamic delights are added, such as standard-fit sports suspension with Dynamic Select (adjustable dampers and Air Body Control air suspension are also offered), while the Direct-Steer set-up has a more responsive ratio than the regular SUV. A further option is a sports exhaust system for the petrol-fuelled GLC Coupes.

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