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It didn’t take Mercedes-Benz long to respond to the BMW X4 with the GLC Coupé. In an effort to really drive the point home, they’ve chosen the Shanghai Auto Salon to do it. When you’re located in one of the biggest cities in the world’s most populated country, you’re bound to get your fair share of looks.
Unlike the delay Mercedes took in responding to the BMW X6, it appears they’re determined not to make the same mistake again. Indeed, it’s been just over three months since Mercedes revealed their competition for the X6—called the GLE Coupé—at the North American International Auto Show.
Like the GLE, the Coupé will get the same front end as its upcoming 5-door CUV cousin, but gets a wildly raked roofline and hatchback profile. Over the course of the year, we’ll not only be seeing the GLC—which replaces the GLK-Class—but its performance variant as well, bringing the SUV count in Mercedes’ line-up to seven.
While they’re calling the car seen in Shanghai a concept, Mercedes assured that the production model will look almost identical. Like the GLE Coupé, the GLC Coupé will provide a foundation for the GLC CUV when it debuts later this year. Everything ahead of the A-pillars is the same here as it will be in the standard GLC.
Seen from the rear, the styling DNA shared with the bigger GLE is evident, thanks to the large taillight lenses. Interestingly, we’re seeing a bit of an evolution regarding the integration of the Three-Pointed Star emblem. It still bisects a single car across the front grille, but instead of the grille just cutting right through it, it actually splits to surround the logo, further highlighting the famous emblem. At the rear, four stainless steel exhausts sit in a pair of diagonal formations.
At 4,730 millimetres long, 2,830 mm wide and 1,600 mm tall, the GLC Coupé looks quite compact, especially when perched on 21-inch wheels. Wheels, incidentally, that look unlike anything seen on a Benz SUV/CUV before.
The concept is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 good for 367 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The power’s fed through a 9-speed automatic, likely to all four wheels via a 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
Production has been confirmed, but no pricing was announced in Shanghai. It will likely be priced above the GLC CUV, and below the GLE.
