Following in the footsteps of the GLE Coupé, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its Concept GLC Coupé at the Shanghai International Auto Show. Described as a "near-production-standard study," the Concept GLC Coupé is a four-door, four-seater concept that attempts to fuse the SUV with the coupé.
Whether the GLE Coupé is an SUV that looks like a coupé or a coupé that looks like an SUV depends on what angle you look at it from. From the back or when looking at the 21-in (53.3-cm) wheels with the front and rear underbody protection, it's an SUV, but with the low-slung coupé roofline on the glasshouse and the frameless side windows blending into the flank, there's plenty of coupé in the mix.
Added to this are more individual touches, like the twin-blade radiator grille, the power domes on the bonnet, higher ground clearance, and large side air intakes. In addition, there's the solar-beam paintwork and claddings in matt gun metal magno. Even the headlamps got a reworking with an all-in-one housing with daytime running lamps and turn indicators in the upper strip inserts, and three rotating lenses below. There's also a non-dazzling feature as the headlamps automatically block out the light cone for oncoming cars.
Since this is a concept, Mercedes is putting the emphasis on exterior styling rather than interior design or performance, but it still boasts a 3-liter direct injection V6 biturbo engine punching 367 bhp (273 kW) and 520 Nm (383 lbf) of torque blowing through a polished stainless four-pipe exhaust system. Behind this is the 9-speed gearbox and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. It is 170 mm shorter than the GLE Coupé, with a 2,827 mm wheelbase and a 4,727 mm length.
The company has also hinted at the potential for the concept to enter production, saying there is plenty of room for new SUV models within the Mercedes badge, citing the sales success of previous SUV models.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
