Jun 15, 2022 at 4:40am ET
It's easy to criticize the coupe-SUV for its somewhat odd shape, compromised practicality, and the premium it commands over the traditional body style. However, people seem to love these cars, so much so they're no longer a luxury-only affair. The French have their Renault Arkana and Citroën C4, while Peugeot is within months of unveiling the 4008. For something with more pizzazz, the second-generation Mercedes GLC Coupe is on its way.
Our spies have stumbled upon a camouflaged prototype of the new GLC Coupe, about two weeks after the regular model received its world debut. It has already lost a good chunk of its disguise since a full camo would've been pointless considering we all pretty much know what it'll look like. Riding on 20-inch wheels, this near-production test vehicle showed off its swoopy roofline and the ducktail spoiler.
It would seem Mercedes has made the extra effort to give it slightly different taillights as the visible LED graphics are unique to the GLC Coupe. Sadly, one thing that won't change compared to the regular model are the faux exhaust finishers as we can see the real tips are tucked away beneath the rear bumper. Elsewhere, the prototype is a spitting image of the 2023 GLC, except for the obvious changes to the greenhouse to accommodate the sleeker quarter glass.
With the standard model’s drag coefficient going down to 0.29, expect a similar improvement for the GLC Coupe. Expect a wide array of mild-hybrid gasoline and diesel engines, joined by plug-in hybrid powertrains and the two AMGs. All of them will have four-cylinder engines, but there might be a six-cylinder GLC Coupe 400d. Rear-axle steering at up to 4.5 degrees is also planned, along with air suspension for a silky-smooth ride.
These Are Its Main Rivals:
Although our spies couldn't capture the GLC Coupe's interior, the cabin will be largely inherited from the regular model, which itself took it from the C-Class W206. That means more than a few resemblances with the S-Class, but obviously not the same level of refinement and comfort. The massive changes on the inside will allow Mercedes to better compete with Audi's Q3 Sportback and BMW's X4.
The official unveiling is likely to take place before the end of the year, with the spicy "43" and "63" AMG hybrid derivatives expected to land at some point in 2023. The former will have 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet [500 Newton-meters] while the latter is going to pack a meaty 670 hp and 553 lb-ft [750 Nm].
Source: Automedia
The prototype was covered by camouflage but nothing can hide the coupe-style roofline with the new rear windshield leading to an integrated rear spoiler. The slimmer LED taillights appear to be unique to the GLC Coupe, although their outer shape will most likely be similar to the regular GLC.
We don’t talk much about the front end since it should be identical to the non-coupe sibling. Still, Mercedes took the time to cover it in a camouflage wrap. For the greenhouse, as with the current model, the more style-driven GLC Coupe gets its mojo from the heavily sloped roofline at the back. Last but not least, the Coupe inherits the cleaner surfacing of the new GLC, despite the faux dynamic lines Mercedes adds to its camouflaged prototypes aimed to confuse us.
The interior will be carried over from the GLC, including the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the 11.9-inch infotainment screen, the optional color heads-up display and the entire dashboard. What will be different is the limited headroom for rear passengers, and the slightly smaller boot. Sacrificing a little bit of practicality for extra style and better aerodynamics is not a problem for the target group.
Similar to the mechanically-related C-Class and GLC, the GLC Coupe will be offered exclusively with four-cylinder engines. The lineup will include many electrified options from the entry-level mild-hybrid engine, all the way up to the plug-in hybrid performance flagships from AMG [no more V8s for the GLC 63].
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is expected to debut before the end of the year, as a 2023 model. Rivals include the BMW X4, the Audi Q5 Sportback, and the Infiniti QX 55 for North America. The GLC Coupe will likely be slightly more expensive than the equivalent variants of the GLC.
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