New York show: Mercedes teases GLC Coupe
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 22nd Mar 2016
Like previously released sketches, the latest image showcases the GLC Coupe’s more elegant roofline while maintaining SUV proportions, but the new rendering appears to confirm a hotter Mercedes-AMG version is also in the pipeline.
With unfeasibly large wheels, bigger air vents, a deeper front bumper and the esteemed AMG badges applied to both registration plate and grille, it is likely the GLC Coupe will be offered as an AMG GLC43, in addition to more sedate variants.
The GLC Coupe’s more conventionally profiled sibling has already been revealed wearing sportier AMG gear and with a turbocharged V6 powertrain, so the version teased here is most likely its coupe equivalent.
However, the mysterious car could be an even more potent GLC63 version, which will borrow the C-Class-based C63 and AMG GT turbo V8. The flagship version was confirmed for the GLC by Mercedes-Benz head of sales and product marketing Matthias Luhrs last year, but is yet to be officially uncovered.
With a mid-sized SUV coupe in its arsenal, Mercedes will be able to face up to BMW’s X4, but an AMG variant would be a direct shot across the bow of the X4 M40i, which carries the performance flag for the BMW range.
No technical details were revealed with the image, but a short post on the German car-maker’s social media channel touted the model to be “the sportscar among the SUVs”, suggesting the vehicle will be a more driver-focused version with extra mumbo.
Under the spicy AMG version, the GLC Coupe is likely to be offered with the same range of engines currently available in the GLC, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and a turbocharged petrol with the same displacement and number of cylinders.
Modest off-road ability is expected courtesy of Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel-drive system, which is fed by the company’s widely used 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.
The GLC Coupe makes its global debut at the New York motor show this week and, while Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has previously said it would welcome the new model, a local arrival date is yet to be confirmed.
