Mercedes GLC Coupe Debuts in Shanghai with BMW X4 Rivalling Sexiness

The first job of this sexy concept is to preview what the next generation of compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz will look like. We are talking about the GLC-Class, which will replace the aging GLK later this year.

But given the rising popularity of Sports Activity Coupes, Mercedes is going to quickly put the chopped GLC into production. When that happens, Stuttgart will have a worthy contender to the BMW X4 and, to a lesser degree, to the Porsche Macan.

Based on the design alone, we want to declare the three-pointed star to be the winner of this newly formed segment. The GLC Coupe can be compared to a sexy bombshell while its bright yellow paint is atypical for the Mercedes brand.

Starting at the front, we noticed a much larger Mercedes emblem, probably the size of gallon bottle. It's held in place by aluminum trim pieces that sweep around it and the whole grille protrudes outwards. Large air intakes give the impression that this SAC sucks up the road wherever it goes.

A well-defined profile

Mercedes has been careful to move the game forward and ensure the BMW X4 has stiff competition. From the side, the GLC Coupe has quite a few cool features, including a new alloy wheel design (21-inch wheels with 285/45 R 21 tires), recessed door handles and a thin metal brace for the mirrors.

Of course, the most obvious feature is the way in which the rear windows flow down. This curvature appears more pronounced than on the BMW rival and suggests design was chosen over headroom.

From the back, you get the feeling that those taillights could be installed on the real C-Class Coupe without any problems. But the most distinctive feature is a quad exhaust pipe system that imitates the design of the Lexus IS F.

AMG-power SUV: all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 367 hp

As you may have noticed after the debut of the GLE 450 AMG Coupe at the beginning of the year, the letters A, M and G have changed their meaning. No longer are they exclusively used by the most aggressive V8 monsters on the planet, but also by softer performance vehicles that rival Audi's S models.

The GLC Coupe is equipped with the same twin-turbo 3-liter V6 as the GLE 450 and C 450 AMG models. It pumps out 367 PS and 520 Nm of torque and should be a good match for the Audi SQ5 and upcoming BMW X4 M40i.

Sure, it's not going to handle like the C-Class. But people have discovered the benefits of AWD, sitting upright, great storage/hauling capability, better ground clearance, and having good visibility. Can you blame them for wanting a designer look too?

We've saved the best for last. If you're fascinated by the latest LED technology, then check out the "playful" way in which the GLC Coupe announces the changing of lanes and make sure to browse our live photo gallery.