Mercedes have unleashed the all-new GLC Coupe and the vehicle is already being lauded as a serious rival to the extremely popular BMW X4.
The vehicle is still firmly a ‘concept’ - those lucky enough to be at China’s premier auto event will not be able to jump in and drive the new car – but we’d be surprised to see the GLC undergo any serious modifications before it hits showrooms across Europe. Mercedes firmed up this suspicion by stating the vehicle was ‘near-production-standard’ before its release date – slated for later 2015.
The famous Mercedes grille is both large and imposing but not as obtrusive as those on similar vehicles.
The vehicle, is in fact, not dissimilar to the car it’s aiming to gazump, with a sloping roofline and raised ride it looks very smart and appears to have taken some styling cues from the existing GLE Coupe model. However, when it comes to statistics the vehicle is actually a little shorter than the X4 in terms of height and is also technically longer in length. This will, Mercedes hope, serve the market of those that were unsatisfied with the X4’s interior space. LED headlamps also help to demonstrate how Mercedes wish this to be a model geared towards sports as much as practicality and tenacious off-road ability. 21-inch wheels give the vehicle a hint of executive class that Mercedes are clearly recognised for.
Mercedes want to market the GLC Coupe as a capable on/off roader so the use of 4MATIC four-wheel-drive will certainly help this. But, what’s underneath the bonnet? Well, if you’re familiar with the Mercedes C-Class, in particular the C450 AMG, then you’ll love the GLC as it enjoys the exact same V6 engine from that vehicle. Offering 362bhp and a strong 520Nm of torque the GLC will be one of the fastest vehicles of its kind and it’ll feel good doing it too. This is due to the 9G-Tronic auto transmission which has been introduced and is likely to make the ride one of the smoothest and most athletic of it’s kind.
Crossover fans will be greeting the news of this release with delight and Mercedes fanning out into a series of other sectors can only be a good thing for an industry expanding by the month.
The reveal of the GLC was a calculated risk, especially at Shanghai where competition for coverage is typically fierce but a warm reception followed by raw-excitement will comfort Mercedes officials. Pricing and a full engine range is stilll awaiting announcemnt on the GLC, though if it's reception is gauged well it hopefully any potential announcements will be sped up from one of the world’s most famous luxury car-brands.
