(April 20, 2015) SHANGHAI — Mercedes-Benz is steadily continuing its product offensive in its year of the SUV. With the close-to-production GLC Coupé concept, the Mercedes is providing a glimpse in Shanghai of forthcoming new models for the booming global off-road segment. The exceptionally sporty show car carries the idea of the GLE Coupé over into a more compact segment.

In parallel, the brand is also celebrating the market premiere of the new GLE and GLE Coupé in China, where Mercedes-Benz is enjoying continued dynamic growth. After another record year in 2014, with a sales increase of 28 percent, Mercedes-Benz is expanding both its model range and its local production in the Middle Kingdom.

At the Beijing plant, the GLA compact SUV is now the fourth Mercedes-Benz model to roll off the production line. The presence of Daimler in China will soon also be reinforced by the new smart fortwo, which is also celebrating its market premiere in Shanghai.

“We have good reason to pay close attention to SUVs. They are fascinating automobiles in a growing segment. We are expecting double-digit growth rates in China over the next few years,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, speaking at Auto Shanghai.

“The GLE Coupé shows just how convinced we are by the success of this vehicle concept, which is why we will bring further models to market that combine the look of a coupé with the versatility and off-road capabilities of a Mercedes SUV. The GLC Coupé concept provides a very clear indication of how they might look.”

The show car combines coupé styling elements with the sensual purity of the design language applied to forthcoming generations of Mercedes-Benz SUVs. This emotional tension is further enriched with characteristic details, including the twin blade radiator grille, a bonnet with power domes and a four-pipe exhaust system.

References from the off-road world such as the 21-inch tires, the underguards front and rear, the increased ground clearance and the running boards along the side emphasize the performance potential of the GLC Coupé concept. The drive technology fulfills the promise of performance. The V6 biturbo with 367 hp and 383 pound-feet of torque familiar from the AMG Sport models delivers incredibly athletic propulsion.

Power is transmitted by the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive.