Automotive

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV with the coupé

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV with the coupé
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV and the coupé
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV and the coupé
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé is a "near-production study"
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé is a "near-production study"
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé aims at the compact market
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé aims at the compact market
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a V6 engine
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a V6 engine
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a raised ground clearance
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a raised ground clearance
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a 2,827 mm wheelbase
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a 2,827 mm wheelbase
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé rear view
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé rear view
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé does 67 bhp (273 kW)
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé does 67 bhp (273 kW)
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has 21-in (53.3-cm) wheels
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has 21-in (53.3-cm) wheels
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a coupé roofline
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has a coupé roofline
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has frameless side windows
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has frameless side windows
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has all-in-one headlamps
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé has all-in-one headlamps
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC has a twin-blade radiator grille
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC has a twin-blade radiator grille
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé showing air scoops
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé showing air scoops
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC showing lines
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC showing lines
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC profile
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC profile
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV and the coupé
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The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé blends the SUV and the coupé
View gallery - 16 images

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.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC profile
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC profile

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

View gallery - 16 images
1 comment
1 comment
Bill Bennett
Coupes have two doors.