Mercedes-Benz Coupé SUV Concept
With the Concept Coupé SUV, Mercedes-Benz is raising the
standard to a new, higher level in literally multiple respects. This extremely
sporty study impresses as a typical representative of the long-standing coupé
tradition at Mercedes-Benz, with a flowing side line, stretched greenhouse and
striking radiator grille with central chrome louvre. At the same time the
Concept Coupé SUV stands out with its muscular wings, large wheel arches,
imposing 22-inch wheels, high beltline and generous ground clearance. Its
dynamic handling on the road is also on a superior level. Not only thanks to
air suspension, but also to the networking of the powertrain, suspension and
interior that it realises. The variable dynamic control system "Dynamic
Select Control" provides four fundamentally different transmission modes
and an individually programmable setup.
"Sensual as a coupé – visionary as an SUV," is
the succinct choice of words used by Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at
Mercedes-Benz, to describe the physiognomy of the Concept Coupé SUV. The
four-door, all-wheel drive Coupé has a length of almost five metres, and an
imposing width of a good two metres thanks to its broad shoulders and flared
wheel arches. At the same time it has a modest height of around 1.75 metres,
exhibiting the flat, extended roofline that is typical of a sports coupé.
"The Concept Coupé SUV stands out thanks to its extreme proportions and in
doing so interprets our hallmark Mercedes coupé design idiom perfectly. With its
superior sportiness it conveys a sense of modern luxury and aesthetic
aspirations of sensual clarity", continues Gorden Wagener. Like the
recessed door handles, frameless side windows blend perfectly into the vehicle
flanks to accentuate the coupé-like character even further. In line with a
tradition and like all recent study vehicles, the Concept Coupé SUV is painted
in the "ALU-BEAM" paint finish, which is also reminiscent of the
technically ground-breaking Silver Arrows of the 1930s and 1950s.
The upright sports grille with single louvre, framed by
the three-dimensionally designed modern, all-LED Multibeam headlamps, is the
major feature of the front end with its short, stylish overhang. Soft cubes
dominate the grille insert, and the forward-sloping bonnet with its typical
Mercedes power domes underlines the membership of the Concept Coupé SUV in the
line-up of particularly sporty Mercedes-Benz models. A discreet reference to
the SUV genes of this study is provided by the harmoniously integrated, illuminated
side sills, which are reminiscent of the running boards found on classic SUVs
or off-roaders. Indicators have always pointed the way in the best sense of the
word, however in the Concept Coupé SUV they take on a new form. The direction
indicators operate with a moving digital light band whose lighting elements
light up sequentially from inside to outside, indicating the change in
direction in two ways.
Elegant rear end: in the style of the S-Class Coupé
The coupé-like nature of the Concept Coupé SUV is also
emphasised by the design of the rear end with its obvious elements of the
design line first presented with the S-Class Coupé, which will be followed by
all coupé models from Mercedes-Benz in future. The styling characteristics of
this include the slim band of rear lights with their ruby-like,
three-dimensional look and the registration plate now incorporated into the
rear bumper. Another feature that has for generations distinguished the large
coupé models from Mercedes-Benz is the typical shape of the rear window which
is rounded off at the top. A discreet SUV reference is made by the simulated
underguard into which the tailpipes of the dual-flow exhaust system are
integrated. Polished aluminium predominates here, as on the integral door
handles, the side sills, the front air intakes and the edging of the
greenhouse.
Wide, flush-fitted 22-inch wheels with tyres in size
305/45 R 22 make the vehicle sit squarely on the road, and leave no doubt about
the passion of the Concept Coupé SUV: at very first glance this trailblazing
study signals its sporty, dynamic ambitions.
Haute Couture: the Mercedes-Benz coupé range
Developing and creating new model families and vehicle
classes has traditionally been one of the strengths of Mercedes-Benz, the
inventor of the automobile. This is particularly obvious in the history of its
coupés, and most especially in the very recent past. Models such as the
four-door Coupés or the Shooting Brakes in the CLS-Class have not only created
completely new vehicle classes, but have also had a lasting influence on the
model policies of different manufacturers, found numerous imitators and proved
to be an outstanding sales success. The same can be said of the CLA-Class,
which has been able to transfer the success of the CLS into the compact class
and is also extraordinarily popular with customers. With the Concept Coupé SUV,
Mercedes-Benz is now taking a similar approach. The study follows this coupé
theme within the SUV sector consistently and demonstrates how a four-door,
all-wheel drive series production coupé might look.
Concept Coupé SUV – pilot project for new SUV worlds
As a compact all-rounder, the GLA has already translated
the suggestion of a coupé-like design idiom into an SUV format, thereby giving
indications of a new SUV line from Mercedes-Benz which the Concept Coupé SUV
now fully brings to perfection. With this concept car, Mercedes-Benz is
announcing the possible expansion of the previously uniform SUV off-roader
family:
- The
Concept Coupé SUV illustrates the possibilities of a more sporty and
dynamic "on-road line".
- The model
families of the GLA, GLK, M, GL and G-Class stand for a versatile and
superior "off-road line".
- This
presents customers with definite advantages, as they are able to order a
vehicle specifically meeting their needs and wishes.
Source:Mercedes-Benz
Press Release
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