Mercedes->ke187 seems to be ramping up its SUV->ke145 offerings both in China and throughout the rest of the world. Part of this push is with the new GLC Coupe, which debuted in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show->ke2470 this month. While not quite ready for dealerships, the concept that bowed in Shanghai was “near-production-standard,” according to Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG board member in charge of R&D.

The new GLC is expected to have an available hybrid->ke147 drivetrain, permanent 4MATIC AWD, and sufficient off-road capabilities. Some of the concept’s features, such as the diagonal double exhaust pipes, will most likely be excluded in the future: “Such details will not make it into production,” said Eberhard Kelz, chief engineer of the new GLC. “But underneath the CFRP body, there already is the real thing.”

Delivery dates are currently unannounced, as Weber stated that “first of all there will be the world premiere for the GLC (in June), followed by the GLS,”->ke3886 as reported by The Detroit Bureau. “The GLE Coupe, that was unveiled in Detroit,->ke222 will arrive on the market this fall. In China, the year 2015 is the year of the goat, but for us it will be the year of the SUV.”

Weber went on to say that SUVs account for 26 percent of all car sales worldwide, a figure that Mercedes expects to rise in the future. In the meantime, the German automaker is busy solidifying its position in China. Mercedes added 100 new dealerships and sold 270,000 units in 2014, a 28 percent increase over the previous year. This year, Mercedes expects to add an additional 50 dealerships and sell more than 300,000 units. 

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept.

Why it matters

The Chinese car market continues to garner big-time attention from all the major automakers. Demand is still growing, and most makes are scrambling to get in on the action. And while yours truly may not understand the appeal, SUVs remain one of the most popular body styles. 

That means concepts like the GLC coupe are just the tip of the iceberg. Expect another deluge of crossovers to arrive very soon.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept

While there are a few features that are sure to get axed on the way to production, the GLC coupe concept is very close to what we’ll see in showrooms. The vehicle is based on the MRA architecture, and features a variety of styling cues borrowed from the GLE Coupe.->ke4971 The roofline is low and sleek, while large, 21-inch wheels fill the beefy arches in the corners. The interior comes with leather, Alcantara, and a premium sound system, while motive power is derived from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine creating 367 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission routes the power to all four wheels.

Read our full review here.