Following yesterday’s leaked photos, Mercedes-Benz has decided to go official with the Concept GLC Coupé, a pre-production study that applies the GLE Coupé formula on a smaller footprint.

Previewing the production GLC Coupé, the study combines coupé styling cues with the design language seen on recent Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It looks essentially like a smaller GLE Coupé, sporting a twin-blade radiator grille, creases on the bonnet and an aggressive-looking double-exhausts on each side. However, the LED headlights are smaller than those on the GLE Coupé.

Since it’s billed as a concept car, it rides on enormous 21-inch tyres, while SUV elements also include front and rear underbody protection, side running boards and a raised ground clearance.

The GLC Coupé study is 4,730mm (186.2in) long, 2,000mm (78.7in) wide and just under 1,600mm (63in) high, with a 2,830mm (111.4in) wheelbase. Under the hood, it features the same engine from the C450 AMG Sport, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 petrol unit that produces 367PS (362hp) and 520Nm (383lb-ft) of torque. The engine is linked to a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive.

No performance specs have been revealed yet, but Mercedes-Benz says the powertrain provides the GLC Coupé with “emphatic acceleration.”

The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé should transition to production with minimal changes, becoming the seventh SUV in the automaker’s lineup. The sporty SUV concept will share underpinnings with the upcoming GLC, the successor to the GLK.

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