Mercedes’ Concept Coupé SUV unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show is billed as an “extremely sporty study” by the automaker, with the press release insisting on its coupé character. However, it is quite hard to think that a 4,935mm (194in) long, 2,044mm (80.5in) wide SUV is an extremely sporty vehicle.

Still, Mercedes-Benz says that the study’s dynamic handling on the road is of a superior level thanks to the variable dynamic control system “Dynamic Select Control”, which provides four fundamentally different transmission modes and an individually programmable setup.

Riding on 22-inch wheels nestled underneath large wheel arches, the Concept Coupé SUV features muscular wings, broad shoulders, a high beltline and generous ground clearance. More discreet details like the recessed door handles and the frameless side windows serve to accentuate the study’s coupé-like character.

Like all recent Mercedes-Benz study vehicles, Concept Coupé SUV features an “Alu Beam” paint finish, a tribute to the Silver Arrows race cars of the 1930s and 1950s. The study also features illuminated side sills, which are reminiscent of the running boards found on classic SUVs or off-roaders.

The Concept Coupé SUV is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo gasoline engine producing 329 hp (333PS) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a 9G-TRONIC PLUS nine-speed automatic transmission. The concept car features 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system.

No production details were offered, but Mercedes-Benz says the Concept Coupé SUV “demonstrates how a four-door, all-wheel drive series production coupé might look.”

What we know is that the study previews an upcoming production SUV from Mercedes-Benz based on the ML-Class’s underpinnings that will compete with the second-generation BMW X6.

By Dan Mihalascu

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