Is there any point debating the merits of Frenching of SUVs into clearly less practical and arguably more ugly coupe derivatives? If there is it would seemingly be unfair to single out the GLC Coupe - revealed in New York after a former appearance as a thinly veiled concept - for particular criticism, given Mercedes is simply catering to apparently insatiable demand for such things.
Honey I shrunk the GLE Coupe
There. That's an attempt at being charitable. Swiftly put in jeopardy by a line in the press release from Mercedes design boss Gordon Wagener, with what reads like a phoned-in quote guaranteed to score well in any game of buzzword bingo. According to him the GLC Coupe is all about "symbolising the bipolarity of our brand - it is 'hot and cool'", the descriptions that follow using adjectives like 'muscular', 'athletic' and 'squat' as stepping stones to the inevitable conclusion it espouses 'sports car genes' despite being based on a mid-size SUV.
Still reading? Well, the GLC Coupe promises to deliver on the latter through a choice of three suspension packages, comprising steel sprung Sports Suspension and adaptively damped Dynamic Body Control that works in partnership with the five-mode Dynamic Select system overseeing gearbox, steering and the rest. Third and final option and the one - given the amount of hype devoted to it - Mercedes wants you to pay up for is the Air Body Control air suspension. Interestingly this uses GRP 'spring elements' to save weight as well as multi-chamber air springs and continuously variable dampers; benefits include a 15mm drop in Sports mode and a selectable 'load height' to drop the rear sill by 40mm. You could, of course, save a bunch of cash by just starting with a car with normal ride height and not have to pay extra for the 'convenience' of being able lower it to heave your bags into the boot. But you pays your money and all that.
Extra dynamic character over the regular GLC also stems from a faster steering ratio - 15.1:1 rather than 16.1:1 - and further focus on handling and body control in the suspension settings.
Coming to a school run near you soon
Engines? At this stage Mercedes is revealing diesel GLC220d and 250d 4Matics with 170hp and 204hp respectively and a 211hp petrol four-cylinder GLC250 4Matic. At 7.3 seconds to 62mph the latter is the fastest out the blocks and also the lightest - 'just' 1,710kg - with more engines to be announced later in the year.
So much for the regular engines; faster and more frugal still is the GLC350e 4Matic plug-in hybrid, which may or may not feature in the UK line-up but is part of this US market unveiling. We'll not lose too much sleep either way over that but if you're looking to make good on the supposedly sporty mindset you'll be wanting the Macan-chasing Mercedes-AMG GLC43, this featuring the previously (much) discussed 367hp twin-turbo V6 set to underpin Mercedes' wide-ranging assault on the mid-range premium performance market. Performance figures haven't been released yet but Mercedes is promising less than five seconds to 62mph for starters.
With the Macan a proven success, Jaguar's F-Pace impressive on first encounter and our recent taste of the (currently Stateside only) X4 M40i Mercedes appears on the money with the tech, spec and pace of the GLC Coupe. The style? That'll be down to the market to decide. Once you've had your say...