Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV is the new Mercedes ML Coupe (MLC)

The Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV has been revealed ahead of a debut at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, previewing a coupe version of the Mercedes ML.

Cars UK reported back in 2011 that a Mercedes ML Coupe (perhaps the Mercedes MLC) was in the planning to take on the BMW X6, and Mercedes confirmed as much when they revealed will build a fifth model at its US plant in Alabama.

Mercedes plan to start building their fifth model in Alabama in 2015, and today’s reveal of the Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV – which will debut at the Beijing Motor Show – is the first public step on the way to a coupe version of the M-Class – and the battle to steal sales from the BMW X6.

Mercedes aren’t saying much about the Concept Coupe SUV, but they do say it’s a sportily-styled coupe SUV and provide a first look at a series production car expected next year.

Whether the production version of the MLC will have as dramatically sloping roofline as the Coupe Concept remains to be seen, but as many of the styling cues are clearly from the same family as the new GLA, it’s clear that Concept Coupe SUV is close to the production version.

We should learn more at Beijing.