With Mercedes 
all set to change its naming scheme across the board, the GLK will soon become the GLC. Along with this change comes the debut of a new niche SUV dubbed the GLC Coupe, which will battle with the 2015 BMW X4. Though these coupe-style SUVs don’t deliver traditional SUV-like hauling capabilities and they have limited rear headroom, buyers keep giving automakers reasons to build them. At the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show , Mercedes-Benz debuted a near-production-ready concept version of the GLC Coupe.
With Mercedes having already revealed the 2016 GLE-Class Coupe, it was easy to guess what the GLC Coupe will look like. However, guessing how it will stack up against its German rival requires a little more digging, with the production version still a few months away. The crossover we’ll eventually find in showrooms will likely debut at either the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show or 2016 Detroit Auto Show , but until that happens let’s take a closer look at the preview Mercedes unveiled in China.
Updated 01/05/2016: Our spy photographers caught the production version of the upcoming GLC Coupe out for a new testing session. As you can see the car begins to remove its camouflage meaning that an official debut should happen shortly. Rumors suggest we will see it at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Continue reading my preview of the GLC Coupe what I think it’ll offer.
Spy Shots
January 5, 2016 – Mercedes GLC Coupe out for a new testing session
July 7, 2015 – Mercedes GLC Coupe caught testing in Germany
Exterior
Don’t let the “Concept” line fool you, this crossover is as production-ready as it gets
The GLC-Class is no surprise, as Mercedes announced long ago that it would replace the GLK-Class. However, a Coupe version of the GLC was never a part of the discussion. That changed recently and with the GLC Coupe Concept popping out at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, Mercedes ’ intentions are crystal clear. And don’t let the “Concept” line fool you, this crossover here is as production ready as it gets, a lesson I’ve learned from the GLE Coupe Concept, which received only mild modifications on its way to production.
So I expect the Shanghai concept car to lose very few of its cues, with the series model to trade features such as the wheels, mirrors, and door handles for more production-friendly elements.
All told, the GLC Coupe shapes up into one of the more appealing offerings in this niche
Not surprising, the GLC Coupe borrows heavily from the GLE Coupe. However, I can’t say the GLC Coupe is a shrunken GLE Coupe, simply because the headlamp/taillights clusters are narrower, the roofline and the glasshouse are sleeker, and the sides feature two parallel character lines: one that acts as a waistline, sitting right below the door handles, and one that bridges the wheel arches as it passes above the side skirts. What’s particularly interesting about the higher character line is that it’s almost horizontal, which is in contrast with the “dropping line” concept Mercedes introduced on the S-Class and plans to use on upcoming models, as stated by Robert Lesnik, head of S-Class exterior design.
Besides giving the GLC Coupe a unique appearance among crossovers, it also reminds me of the SLS AMG’s profile. I can’t say the same about the BMW X4…
All told, the GLC Coupe shapes up into one of the more appealing offerings in this niche, and, no matter how many details Mercedes will change on the production car, it’s definitely better proportioned, and thus better looking, than the hunchback GLE Coupe.
Exterior Dimensions
Interior
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe shown here
The GLC Coupe Concept doesn’t come with photos of the interior, but I expect the production car’s cabin to mimic the GLE Coupe’s. This means that you’ll see all of the same premium features, like leather seating, Alcantara, a premium audio system, a sports steering wheel, and more.
Unfortunately, this also means that you’ll notice the reduced headroom and cargo room that the slanted rear roofline creates. It’s a shortcoming the BMW X4 also has compared to the larger X6.
Drivetrain
Power comes from a 3.0-liter, V-6 powerplant rated at 367 horsepower and 384 pound-feet
While Mercedes chose to keep the concept’s interior a mystery, it did reveal that power comes from a 3.0-liter, V-6 powerplant rated at 367 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The unit mates to a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic and the company’s 4MATIC AWD system. This drivetrain will most likely make it into the production version as the GLC450 AMG Coupe, to be offered in the U.S. right below the AMG GLC63.
No word as to which powerplants will join the V-6 in U.S. dealerships, but it’s safe to assume there will be a base model powered by the 2.0-liter, turbo-four that pumps 241 horses in the C300 sedan . Obviously, this model will be sold as the GLC300 Coupe.
In Europe, on the other hand, the GLC Coupe will get a wider range of gasoline and diesel engines with four, six, and eight cylinders.
Drivetrain Specifications
Prices
To remain competitive with the BMW X4, look for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe to start in the $45k range for the base GLC300 model.
Competition
BMW X4
The GLC Coupe is a direct response to the BMW X4, so it is only natural that the Bimmer is its key competitor. The BMW X4 has the same funky roofline as the GLC Coupe, and it comes standard with lots of premium goodies like the iDrive Controller, an LCD touchscreen, Active Cruise Control and more.
Under the hood, the U.S.-spec X4 is available in two flavors: xDrive28i and xDrive35i. The xDrive28i makes use of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower, while the xDrive35i brings in a 3.0-liter six-cylinder that cranks out 300 horses.
The X4 xDrive28i starts out at $44,700 and the xDrive35i comes in at $48,000.
Read our full review on the 2015 BMW X4 here.
Porsche Macan
Though the Porsche Macan doesn’t offer a coupe-like version (yet), it is still a model that buyers considering upper-level versions of the GLC Coupe may consider. Like all Porsches, the Macan comes loaded to the gills with standard leather, a 4.8-inch color screen in the instrument cluster, a 16-speaker sound system and more.
Under the hood, the U.S.-spec Macan is available in two states of tune. The Macan S features a 3.0-liter V-6 engine that puts out 340 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Macan Turbo also uses a 3.0-liter V-6, but it’s tuned to deliver 400 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Outside of the U.S., the Macan has a base 2.0-liter engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque that would match up well against the base GLC-Class Coupe, but it remains unclear whether this engine will come to the U.S.
Porsche does put a premium on the Macan, as its base S model starts from $53,600 and the Turbo model starts at $73,900.
Click here to read our full review of the Porsche Macan
Conclusion
While I may find these coupe-style SUVs absolutely pointless, there is obviously a market for them, and all of the premium brands are heading in this direction. Even though we’re looking at a concept car, the GLC Coupe seems like a solid SUV that will give the BMW X4 a reason to check over its shoulder, and will give Porsche a reason to bring its less expensive version of the Macan to the U.S..
Updated History
Updated 04/08/2015: While all Mercedes dropped on the future GLC Coupe is a sketch that shows pretty much nothing, we decided to create a rendering of what we think the car will look like. We hope you like it.
Rendering
Press Release
In a flowing transition, Mercedes-Benz lands the next coup: the Concept GLC Coupé is a near-production-standard study that carries the successful GLE Coupé formula over into a more compact segment. The dynamically expressive show car combines typical stylistic features of a coupé with the sensually pure design idiom of coming SUV generations. This emotively appealing fusion is further enriched with details that are strong in character. A twin-blade radiator grille, powerdomes on the hood and a four-pipe exhaust system form an aesthetic contrast to the harmonious, almost organic main body section. On the other hand, elements from the rugged off-road world, such as enormous 21-inch tires, front and rear underbody protection, increased ground clearance and side running boards, are indicative of the off-road performance potential of the Concept GLC Coupé.
Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG, puts it in a nutshell: “With its modern and sensual design idiom, the Concept GLC Coupé gives a foretaste of future SUV models from Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, it embraces the typical values of tradition-steeped Mercedes-Benz coupés”.
The same successful blend of the multifunctional SUV and the emotively appealing coupé world of Mercedes-Benz that was so enthusiastically welcomed with the GLE Coupé is now repeated with the Concept GLC Coupé. However, the near-production-standard show car inhabits a more compact segment, as demonstrated by the external length of 186.2 inches (4.73 meters) and the 111.4 inch (2.83-meter) wheelbase. These two dimensions, together with the striking and muscular main body section, elongated greenhouse and large 21-inch wheels, provide an ideal basis for the typical, almost dramatic proportions of the sportily youthful coupé generation with the characteristic off-road touch.
Distinctive front end, sculptural headlamp design
At the front, a short, crisp overhang with upright radiator grille and twin-blade louvre so characteristic of sporty Mercedes-Benz models give a first indication of the sporty philosophy behind the Concept GLC Coupé. The credo “Born to race on every ground” is confirmed by the powerdomes on the hood, the sweeping lines of the A-wing below the radiator grille, the large side air intakes and the visually dominant underbody protection. Like all the trim elements on the concept vehicle, this typical SUV feature radiates in silver shadow to form an attractive counterpoint to the solar-beam paintwork and the all-round claddings in matte gun metal magno paintwork.
Reminiscent of light sculptures, striking LED headlamps decisively shape the expressive face of the Concept GLC Coupé. All functions are united in one housing: for illumination, the daytime running lamps and turn indicators use the upper strip inserts, dubbed “eyebrows” by the designers. Below them are three rotating lenses, which appear to positively float in the deep, three-dimensional space and which adapt to the situation to optimally illuminate the road or terrain. Of course, the headlamps are non-dazzling for oncoming traffic in lower beam, upper beam, cornering light or active light mode. This is achieved by blanking out the light cone in the area of oncoming vehicles.
Side profile with low-slung coupé greenhouse and large SUV wheels
The perfection with which the intrinsically contrary design worlds of the coupé and the SUV have been brought into harmony with each other is revealed in particular by a side view of the just under 63 inch high (1.60-metre) Concept GLC Coupé with the typical, elongated roof line of a sports coupé. Like the integrated roof rails and fully recessed door handles, the squat greenhouse with its frameless side windows blends perfectly into the vehicle’s flanks to additionally underscore the coupé-like character. The interplay with the high beltline, wide shoulders and accentuated wheel lips gives rise to extreme proportions that lend the Concept GLC Coupé a thrilling dynamism. This highly charged interaction is given extra emphasis by the drawn-in waist between the dropping line and the lower, rearwards ascending light-catching contour.
A clear indication of the more prominent SUV genes is given by sill extensions reminiscent of the side running boards on a classic SUV. Flush with the outside edge of the body, wide 21-inch wheels with large, heavily profiled tires combine with the relatively high ground clearance to endorse the sportily dynamic off-road ambitions of the Concept GLC Coupé.
Rear end with distinct coupé heritage
The rear view of the precisely 78.7 inch (two-metre) wide Concept GLC Coupé in particular reveals the wide, muscular shoulders with harmoniously modelled wheel arches that house 21-inch (53.3 cm) wheels with 285/45 R 21 wide-base tires. The four polished stainless-steel tailpipes of the exhaust system provide a visual highlight. Mounted in pairs above an A-wing similar to the one at the front and featuring characteristic underbody protection, the tailpipes underscore the sporty look of the coupé.
Overall, it is the styling of the rear end that most clearly accentuates the coupé genes of the concept vehicle. Narrow, split tail lights, centrally positioned brand star and a sharp spoiler lip emphasize a design line that made its debut with the S‑Class Coupé and which all Mercedes-Benz coupé models have since followed. Relocated to the lower section of the bumper, the number plate as well as the typical form of the rear window with its rounded upper area are among the further stylistic features.
The night design of the LED tail lights sets a new tone. Adapted from the headlamps, the strips at the top are home to the turn indicators, which use chasing lights to signal a change of direction. A circular rear light encloses a central lens that adaptively augments the brake lamp for even better visibility.
Technical details provide a stimulating contrast
Hard technical details give an additional emotive appeal to the Concept GLC Coupé with its almost organic form of the main body section. For example, excitingly designed components such as two-part, open light-alloy wheels, wing-look exterior mirrors and the already mentioned four exhaust tailpipes set a deliberate stylistic contrast intended to underscore the technological claim of the show car. The same goes for the underbody protection with front and rear cooling ducts and the headlamps and tail lights, which resemble light sculptures.
Power aplenty: all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 367 hp
The drive technology aboard the Concept GLC Coupé matches the vehicle’s looks. A V6 powerplant delivering 367 hp (270 kW) and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) makes for a highly sporty level of performance. Familiar from AMG sports models, the direct-injection biturbo engine is teamed with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive to provide the show car with emphatic acceleration while at the same time giving an acoustically audible note to the impressive performance. Depending on the transmission mode setting, the tailpipes give off either a commandingly subdued rumble or the passionate sound of a high-powered sports car.
Extension to the SUV world of Mercedes-Benz
The SUV world of Mercedes-Benz has room for further models, such as a production version of the Concept GLC Coupé. The wide range of models allows customers the flexibility to order a tailor-made vehicle to suit their personal preferences. At the same time, the show car would enrich the trendsetting coupé world of Mercedes-Benz with a new all-rounder while providing a logical addition to models such as the four-door coupés. In addition to spawning entirely new classes of vehicle, these models have also exerted a considerable impact on the model policies of all manufacturers. They have also proved an outstanding success on the sales front.