Roadmap reveals new Mercedes models
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 25th Jul 2016
As part of its half-year report, the German car-maker has released a 2016 and 2017 ‘continued product offensive’ table that mentions a number of new vehicles for the first time, among a scattering of previously mentioned machinery.
The graphic indicates that the already confirmed AMG GT R performance halo will launch in the early part of next year, but it appears that the mighty two-door coupe will be followed soon after by a Roadster version dubbed the GT C.
Mercedes is yet to go on record with official model names, but has previously spoken of a ‘standard’ version of the flagship, and the table suggests that a version to sit below GT S and GT R will arrive first in convertible form.
Its coupe GT C sibling will arrive later in 2017 at about the same time as a drop-top version of the E-Class.
The document created a stir in its first version when the roadmap initially showed a vehicle named the GLA Coupe chalked for 2017 release, but the report was quickly reissued with a ‘GLA facelift’ replacing the previous entry.
The possibility of a coupe version of the company’s smallest SUV has been previously raised, but Mercedes-Benz Australia public relations and product communications manager Jerry Stamoulis allayed any excitement, explaining to GoAuto that the roofline is already “too raked” and a coupe version would not work.
Rumours that Mercedes will introduce coupe versions of the compact SUV might not make sense for the current generation but hold more water for the second-generation version, which could follow the same trend as the company’s GLC and GLE medium and large SUV Coupes.
Mercedes’ first one-tonne ute has been officially confirmed and the report indicates an early second half arrival, while Australian delivery is still expected the following year.
In the table, the ute is labelled as ‘Pickup’ but the ‘GLT’ is understood to be the most likely moniker and ties in with the company’s recently rationalised nomenclature, which precedes all high-rider names with a GL.
Only a sketch of the ute has been released at this stage with no other angles in addition to the front three-quarter officially on offer, but the thumbnail image of the ‘GLT’ in the table is too tiny to glean any new styling details.
The E-Class All Terrain that was first mentioned last month and will debut at the Paris motor show in September is set to arrive before the middle of next year but after the next E -Class coupe, taking the fight to Audi’s A6 Allroad.
In its current shape, the S-Class luxury limousine has been around since 2013, but the large sedan will be treated to a facelift about mid-year, according to the plan.
A row of the forecast table is dedicated to the company’s Smart tiny town car brand and previews a number of electric variants to go live in the latter part of this year and 2017, but the line-up was discontinued in Australia and a return is unlikely at this stage.
Other than the ute, no commercial vehicles will arrive next year, but China will get a new Vito van before the year is out.
