Mercedes-Benz->ke187 has quietly unveiled the G-Code Concept at the opening of its new research and development center in Beijing. Smaller than the GLA-Class,->ke4658 the G-Code Concept is a small utility coupe developed to showcase Mercedes’ plans for a new urban SUV->ke145 that’s being developed for the young and adventurous Asian market.

That’s a big reason why Mercedes chose the opening of its new R&D center in Beijing to show off the G-Code Concept. So many of its rivals have looked to Asia with promises of new models designed to appeal to what’s becoming one of the most sophisticated markets in the world. The unveiling of the G-Code Concept is Mercedes’ way of showcasing its ideas for that region while also giving hints on what it’s got planned for its new SUVs and crossovers.->ke288

There’s a lot tied to the G-Code Concept than just hybrid engines and fancy new technologies.->ke1701 This particular prototype could also become the precedent for a string of new Merc SUVs and crossovers that the company is currently developing.

Remember the G-Code Concept, ladies and gentlemen. Chances are, we'll go back and reference it numerous times in the near future.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Benz G-Code Concept.

Exterior

The G-Code Concept features a laundry list of cutting-edge technology with the concept’s exterior showcasing a lot of them.

One, in particular, is the use of multi-voltaic silver paint that isn’t just there for the purposes of aesthetics. The paint finish actually acts like one continuous solar panel that powers the electric side of the concept’s hybrid powertrain. On top of that, the paint finish also electrostatically charged natural and relative winds to charge the hybrid system.

The Code-G’s front grille is also a technological highlight. The company’s trademark star is there, as are the two chrome louvers that make up the current grille design for Mercedes’ new SUVs. But instead of a conventional loured grille, Mercedes installed a continuous display that shows the G-Code’s operating mode through different color markers and effects.

When the car is at rest, the display emits a soft-blue hue. If it’s running on all-electric HYBRID eDrive, little stars in the radiator grille light up and move to create some visual effects. Meanwhile, the HYBRID eco mode features the same effects, but with purple as the color instead of blue. When it’s in HYBRID sport mode, the color changes again, this time to red, with the direction of effects reversed, moving from the center to the edges of the display.

The ostentatious radiator grille is flanked by LED headlights while the rear section receives a single LED bar that runs the entire width of the concept.

The concept also features character lines that run along its sides, creating a muscular profile befitting its status as a concept car.

Also installed are tiny cameras that act as rearview mirrors, and a pair of suicide rear doors that open up to show the equally fancy interior.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior of the G-Code features another exercise in technological advancement for Mercedes-Benz. The interior is like a smart cocoon that uses a smartphone as a signal that it should come to life. Once you dock your smartphone, various components extend out from their idle positions,moving into place depending on your seating position. Even the F1-style steering comes to life in a way we haven’t seen before, unfolding itself before moving into position just in front of the driver.

As soon as you’ve comprehended the visual magic that just happened in front of your eyes, you can take a quick look at the cabin and notice that it’s been trimmed in assortment of leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber. It also has four individual bucket seats that have heating, cooling, and massage functions and a clean dashboard that’s dominated by a wide infotainment display.

Three retro-style nozzles were placed smack in the middle of the dashboard, serving as outlets for an air-conditioning system that can clean incoming air through photosynthetic emissions. Just below these nozzles is the center console where the docking station is located. The console also has its own central display, showing a variety of functions tied into the mobile phone.

Would you believe that a concept with so many things going on inside the cabin still has enough space for two scooters? Well, look below the double luggage compartment floor and you’ll see two stand-up scooters ready to be used in case you need a more mobile form of transportation.

Drivetrain

Mercedes didn’t dive into the specifics of the G-Code’s hybrid powertrain, although it did say that a state-of-the-art turbocharged, hydrogen engine drives the front wheels while an electric motor runs the rear wheels. Power it transmitted through a dual, multi-disc clutch.

The engine also features three distinct HYBRID modes, which are all tied to the colors that come out of the grille’s display. Basically, the HYBRID eDrive mode turns the G-Code into a full-blown electric crossover. Once the engine is switched to HYBRID eco mode, the combustion engine and the electric motor alternate to power to the concept. Then there’s the HYBRID sport mode, which primarily uses the combustion engine with the electric motor serving as a supplement to boost acceleration

Prices

Don't expect the G-Code Concept to find its way into Mercedes dealerships soon. Like with most concepts, this is a prototype designed to showcase the future of Mercedes, one technological breakthrough at a time.

Competition

Audi TT Offroad Concept

Is it a coincidence that Mercedes unveiled the G-Code Concept in the same city where Audi unveiled the TT Offroad Concept back in April 2014? The ties to Beijing is the first of many similarities between the two concepts.

Just like the G-Code, Audi presented the TT Offroad Concept as a hybrid model at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. The German automaker showcased it with a powertrain that included a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, gasoline engine that produced 292 horsepower and a pair of electric motors -- one on the front axle and one on the rear axle -- that developed a total of 114 horsepower. All together, the TT Offroad Concept had 408 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque on tap. Those numbers allowed the concept to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph.

Aesthetically speaking, the TT Offroad Concept looks a lot more ready for production than the G-Code. For one, it doesn’t have a paint finish that can charge its electric motor. It also doesn’t have a front grille that doubles as a Vegas light show and it doesn’t have a cabin that cleans after itself.

Conclusion

You have to give it to Mercedes for presenting one of the most impressive concepts we've seen this year. That's saying a lot since it's already November 2014 and we've had 10 full months of prototypes to choose from.

The G-Code Concept's list of advanced features is really what makes it stand out. How often can you unveil a concept and all everyone's talking about is that it can transfer energy through its paint, has a color-changing grille, and has a cabin that literally cleans up after itself to make ingress and egress that much easier for all of us.