Testing of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé is well under way ahead of the BMW X4 rival's expected launch in 2016.
Sporting a similar design to the bigger GLE Coupé, a GLC Coupé test mule was snapped while out with the standard GLC.
A concept version of the GLC Coupé was unveiled at the Shanghai motor show earlier this year, and Mercedes seems to have stuck closely to the concept's bold design for the production version.
The disguised GLC Coupé has the same swooping roof design as the concept, but with smaller wheels, and it features a similar front to its GLC sibling, apart from a different grille.
No official measurements for the production version are available, but at 4727mm long, 2000mm wide and 1593mm tall, the GLC Coupé concept was 57mm longer, 120mm wider and 28mm lower than the X4.
It also rode on a wheelbase that was 17mm longer than the BMW’s, at 2827mm. Compared with the outgoing GLK, it was 192mm longer, 160mm wider and 77mm lower.
The sporting SUV had a modified version of Mercedes’ modular high-strength steel MRA platform, as found beneath the latest C-Class. It was allied to aluminium-intensive suspension that uses a combination of double wishbones up front and multi-links at the rear.
Although it has not been officially confirmed, Autocar can reveal that production versions of the new swoopy-styled GLC Coupé will have the option of rear air springs, following the lead taken by the C-Class.
Power for the concept came from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, one of a number of units that will be made available in the GLC and GLC Coupé, according to senior Mercedes sources.
The twin-turbo V6 kicks out 362bhp and 383lb ft of torque - 60bhp and 88lb ft more than the most powerful petrol-powered X4 model, the xDrive35i.
This particular engine is set to power a GLC450 Coupé AMG model, in line with moves made with the larger GLE450 Coupé Sport shown earlier this year.
Channelling these reserves to all four wheels is Mercedes’ new nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox and 4Matic four-wheel drive system.
Officials revealed in Shanghai that the company’s SUV line-up would eventually extend to seven models.
Included are the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and traditional G-Class, which is set to be substantially updated in 2017.
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