It seems the market segment for SUVs is getting bigger by the day. The latest addition comes from Stuttgart, in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupé SUV.
Unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, this Concept is squarely aimed at BMW’s X6 and has the same high shoulder line than the Bavarian contender. The bold and macho design runs from the front with the high bonnet, to the side with the sill extensions and ends at the rear which features a very high window line.
As is always the case with concepts, the cars are shown with an oversized wheel and tyre combination. On this concept, Mercedes-Benz has used massive 22-inch alloy wheels with supercar-sized 305/45 tyres. Needless to say, when/if this SUV hits the production line, expect the wheelarches to be filled with smaller tyres.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the Concept Coupé SUV is equipped with a 3,0-litre, V6 twin-turbocharged petrol engine developing 245 kW at 5 500 r/min and 480 N.m between 1 400 and 4 000 r/min. This is the same engine that is currently available in the ML400, but in this concept it is connected to Mercedes-Benz’s new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Torque is sent to all four wheels via the company’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. No performance figures were made available nor have any interior pictures been revealed.
One Mercedes-Benz press release ended with the following words: “The study follows this coupé theme within the SUV sector consistently and demonstrates how a four-door, all-wheel drive series production coupé might look.”
We can safely assume that a production version will follow before the end of the year.
