Although it looks like a GLK-size vehicle in the photos, make no mistake about it, the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV is based on the M-Class and, in production form, will challenge the BMW X6.
BMW vs. Mercedes-Benz is very much like Chevy vs. Ford or Ford vs. Holden in years gone by: if one creates a niche that’s deemed reasonably successful, the other will rush in to stop the other from owning that niche entirely. And so we have the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV, whose name is about as ridiculous as the niche it’s entering.
Stretching out nearly five metres (around 16.2 feet) long, 1.74m (5.7ft) wide and over 2m wide (6.7ft), it’s fair to say that the Concept Coupe SUV is pretty big beast. Despite its imposing dimensions the “coupe” only seats four. To suit its “coupe” pretensions, the concept SUV rides on 22-inch wheels clad in 305/45 rubber.
Under the hood there’s a twin-turbocharged 3-litre petrol V6 churning out 245kW (333hp) of power and 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. All of that fury goes to ground via a permanent all-wheel drive system and a 9-speed automatic transmission. To help fuel economy somewhat the Concept Coupe SUV is fitted with automatic engine start/stop. There’s also active roll stabilisation to prevent the thing from tipping over.
It’s not clear what the Concept Coupe SUV will be christened when it starts trundling down the production line. CLM seems to be a decent bet, as the A-Class-based four-door “coupe” is the CLA and the E-Class-based but S-Class priced four-door “coupe” is the CLS. MLC is another good bet, but other possibilities suggested by Mercedes-Benz’ current alphabet soup would be rather too controversial. For instance, MLK would never fly due to its association with Martin Luther King, while MLS would remind some of the USA’s top tier soccer competition.
Dimensions
Length: 4,935mm (16.2ft)
Height: 1,739mm (5.7ft)
Width: 2,044mm (6.7ft)
Wheelbase: 2,916mm (9.6ft)
