SPIED: Mercedes GLC Coupe, X4-rival almost naked

Here’s the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe undergoing winter testing but wearing minimal clothing. It’s as good as it gets for a spyshot set, showing us enough to join the pieces, so to speak.

Mercedes-Benz is making up for lost time in the SUV and crossover segment, trailing behind its Bavarian rival in the creation of new niche products. But better late than never, and after the GLC (BMW X3-rival, now global) and GLE Coupe (follows the BMW X6 template) is a blend of both the above – the GLC Coupe.

Based on the GLC but with a sloping roof and “coupe” profile, it will rival the BMW X4 when it debuts later this year. The car was previewed by the Concept GLC Coupe from last year’s Shanghai show, so it’s no big surprise from Daimler.

If the concept of the GLC Coupe is a blend of GLC and GLE Coupe, the styling follows the same path. Diamond grille in place of two-bar grille aside, it’s all GLC from the front, but the roofline dives down after the B pillars to meet the beltline at the tall rump. We can see a subtle spoiler and rear screen with a curved top, cues also seen on the GLE Coupe.

The shape and position of the tail lamps and three-pointed star emblem are also similar to its bigger sibling, and there appears to be a trim strip bridging the tail lamps; once again, something from the GLE Coupe. This car will have a unique rear bumper design, though.

Like the GLC, the Coupe will be available with two looks – standard and AMG Line. We get to see both here – the regular car’s front bumper is characterised by a silver “mouth” (brown and blue cars, taped up on the latter), while the AMG Line (red car) gets a wider, downturned centre intake, flanked by side intakes with two “fins” in them, as seen on our GLC 250. On display here are two wheel designs and three body colours.

So, there you go, Mercedes-Benz’s curvier rival to the BMW X4. It can be viewed as a baby GLE Coupe with a GLC head or the other way round, a GLC with the GLE Coupe’s big bottom. Mechanicals should mirror the GLC’s, with the inevitable sacrifice of rear headroom and boot volume compared to the regular SUV.

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