School runs these days are often battlegrounds for those who like to flaunt their social status. You’ll see double-parked SUVs ranging from humble Ford Escape’s up to towering behemoths like Cadillac’s Escalade and Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class.

I’ve criticized this group of drivers in the past for their use of pretentious machinery; seriously, if you want a practical SUV with good off-road capabilities, then just get an Subaru Outback and be done with it. However, I respect that people have different ideals when it comes to vehicles; hence why most car manufacturers have jumped on the popular SUV bandwagon.

Mercedes-Benz battle toe-to-toe in this market with archrival BMW for SUV offerings. Now, the German manufacturer is putting the finishing touches on its latest crossover; an all new GLK replacement (to be called the ‘GLC’) – rendered exclusively here at Carscoops in AMG guise.

Athletic New Design:

Comparing old with new, one will immediately notice its sleeker overtones; the outgoing GLK was boxy and ungainly, whereas this is much more refined and cohesive.

Front-end styling continues with a theme adopted from Mercedes passenger car lineup. AMG-fettling gains a more aggressive air-dam with satin highlights and a sportier grille treatment. Like the C-Class, the GLC has dynamic character lines beginning at the LED headlights, sweeping all the way back to the rear haunches – further emphasizing its newfound athleticism.

Platform & Body:

The GLC (codenamed X205) utilises the same base architecture and mechanical underpinnings as its C-Class sibling. Handling and fuel economy are set to benefit from more intensive use of aluminium and lightweight, high-strength steels.

Another advantage of the new common platform is that Mercedes-Benz will now be able to offer the GLC to right hand drive markets like United Kingdom, Australia and many others.

What Could Power It:

Base powertrain options will mimic the C-Class; cue an AWD or RWD turbocharged 2.0-liter, 241 horsepower four-cylinder petrol, 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel (unlikely for U.S consumption) and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 from the C400.

AMG enhanced versions will also likely use the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, albeit in a higher state of tune with AWD; this should be potent enough to bully most Audi SQ5 owners.

School-Run Bullies:

It’s a pretentiously tough segment to battle in, not only with the competition, but also the owners and their preferred tastes. Compared with the BMW X3 and Audi SQ5, it looks the goods visually; and should square up fantastically handling-wise in AMG attire.

Other foes that shouldn’t be written-off are the Range Rover Evoque and new Lexus NX, although neither of those offer a true performance variant to challenge AMG.

On the surface of things, the GLC appears to be a vast improvement over the awkward looking, out-going GLK that it will replace and it should sell well. Expect more details to surface closer to its summer 2015 launch.

Let us know your thoughts below.

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

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