Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé: Sportier take on SUV should rival BMW X4 and Porsche Macan

The bonnet, wings and some door panels are the same – the rest is all new

Mercedes-Benz is positioning this as a competitor to Jaguar’s F-Pace

Having made a compact SUV, in the form of the GLC, Mercedes-Benz has now followed up with a coupé version. The GLC Coupé is based on the GLC in that it has the same platform, which they share with the C-Class. Even though things like the bonnet, wings and some door panels are the same, the rest is all new.

The windscreen is more heavily raked and there’s a much more heavily pronounced descending line to the rear. There’s noticeably more overhang at the tailgate than on the GLC. Ride height is lower as well, which is partly a function of the suspension choices on offer. You can have steel springs, or a Dynamic Body Control which is a steel-sprung variable damper set-up, or Air Body Control which is pretty self-explanatory.

Under the familiar bonnet is a 2.1-litre turbodiesel, which is set for two power outputs for the GLC 220 d 4Matic Coupé and 250 d 4Matic Coupé. The figures are, respectively: 168bhp with 295lb ft of torque; and 201bhp and 369lb ft of torque. Coming up later there may be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel with 254bhp and 457lb ft of torque. There are no petrol engines planned for the UK market and all the engines that are offered will come with the 9G-Tronic nine-speed auto box.

Inside it’s much as the GLC and the C-Class, which is high praise indeed. It comes with sat-nav, active park assist, rear camera and heated front seats along with keyless start, all as standard.

Mercedes-Benz is positioning this as a competitor to Jaguar’s F-Pace, as well as vehicles like BMW’s X4 and Porsche’s Macan. Compared to the GLC SUV the Coupé will be about £5000 more expensive, at £40,580.