Mercedes-Benz reveals Concept Coupe SUV

Here is Mercedes’ tardy answer to the lardy X6, five years after BMW launched its ungainly, impractical fusion of coupe style and SUV platform.

According to Mercedes, the Concept Coupe SUV “illustrates the possibilities of a more sporty and dynamic ‘on-road line’ (of SUVs)”.

Aside from concept car touches such as 22-inch wheels, Stuttgart’s major reveal of the Beijing motor show (April 21-29) points to a near-ready production model, certain to be named MLC.

A single image of the concept was flashed on a video wall behind Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche as he addressed the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Berlin on 9 April, and released later the same day to media. Now, to coincide with the official reveal, there are full 360-degree exterior images.

They show a long (almost five metres), very wide (more than two metres) and not too tall (a little over 1.7 metres) shape that contains four seats behind its frameless doors.

The Concept Coupe SUV is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, hitched to a nine-speed automatic and 4matic all-wheel-drive system. In reality, the MLC will be offered with a wide range of spark-ignition and diesel drivetrains.

Petrol-electric plug-in and diesel-electric drivetrains are also possible.

As it will utilise the third-gen ML-Class platform, the MLC will be built in the same Tuscaloosa, USA, factory. Production begins next year.