Mercedes GLC Coupe SUV previewed – it’s the Mercedes take on the BMW X4

A coupe version of the next generation Mercedes GLK SUV – which will be the new GLC – is previewed as Mercedes seek to compete in the BMW X4 niche.

Mercedes are making sure BMW can see them coming in the compact coupe SUV sector (yes, there really is such a thing) with a preview sketch that shows a Mercedes GLC Coupe ahead of a debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month.

Just for the benefit of those who have better things to do with their lives than keep up with Mercedes’ convoluted nomenclature, the ‘GLC’ bit of the name doesn’t refer to the now defunct London fiefdom of Ken Livingstone, but to the replacement for the Mercedes GLK SUV.

The GLK is the more compact SUV that Mercedes couldn’t be bothered to engineer for right-hand-drive, so the UK never got it. But its replacement will be here in the UK – and in RHD too – later in 2015 as the new Mercedes GLC, aiming to take on the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

And it looks like Mercedes is doing the Coupe version first – just as it did with the GLE,  – which is what the sketch above is all about.

Mercedes are no doubt hoping the GLC Coupe will take the fight in the coupe SUV market to the BMW X4, just as they hope the new GLE Coupe will take sales from the BMW X6.

Whether Mercedes can actually make any real headway in to the X4’s market remains to be seen, but it’s a big task; the X4 may not be the best looking car on the road, but it’s a cracking car to drive – especially in 35d guise.

But that isn’t going to stop Mercedes from trying, so expect a full range of engine options for the GLC Coupe when it does arrive, probably only higher-end trim options, 4MATIC as standard and maybe even a full fat AMG version.