Could this really be the refreshed 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class that's scheduled to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September?
The crew over at the Mercedes-Fans website who shared this photo certainly think so and if there's no Photoshop-foolery going on, they could be right.
Cosmetically, besides the green body paint that we haven't seen before, the front has been tweaked with new headlamp fixtures and revised grille and bumper designs.
From previous spy shots, we know that the mid-cycle facelift will update the interior with a new twin-dial instrument binnacle similar to the GLA, a different steering wheel and controls for the upgraded infotainment system.
Some minor improvements to the regular engine range are also expected, while there have been rumors about AMG tweaking the A45's 2.0-liter turbocharged four to deliver over 370-horsepower.
Photo via Mercedes-Fans, H/T to Fernando!
Following yesterday’s leaked photos, Mercedes-Benz has decided to go official with the Concept GLC Coupé, a pre-production study that applies the GLE Coupé formula on a smaller footprint.
Previewing the production GLC Coupé, the study combines coupé styling cues with the design language seen on recent Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It looks essentially like a smaller GLE Coupé, sporting a twin-blade radiator grille, creases on the bonnet and an aggressive-looking double-exhausts on each side. However, the LED headlights are smaller than those on the GLE Coupé.
Since it’s billed as a concept car, it rides on enormous 21-inch tyres, while SUV elements also include front and rear underbody protection, side running boards and a raised ground clearance.
The GLC Coupé study is 4,730mm (186.2in) long, 2,000mm (78.7in) wide and just under 1,600mm (63in) high, with a 2,830mm (111.4in) wheelbase. Under the hood, it features the same engine from the C450 AMG Sport, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 petrol unit that produces 367PS (362hp) and 520Nm (383lb-ft) of torque. The engine is linked to a 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive.
No performance specs have been revealed yet, but Mercedes-Benz says the powertrain provides the GLC Coupé with “emphatic acceleration.”
The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé should transition to production with minimal changes, becoming the seventh SUV in the automaker’s lineup. The sporty SUV concept will share underpinnings with the upcoming GLC, the successor to the GLK.
Mercedes-Benz gave the M-Class or ML a cosmetic, technological and mechanical makeover and while they were at it, they changed its name to GLE to fit their new nomenclature.
While the related, but sportier-bodied GLE Coupe, competes with the BMW X6, the regular GLE will go up against the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Range Rover SUVs of this world.
On the outside and specifically up front, you'll find much of the same styling as on the GLE Coupe with Mercedes updating the former M-Class' snout with new lights (optionally with LEDs), wings, bumper, hood and grille designs. Out back, there are revised LED tail lamps, redesigned tailpipe embellishers, and a re-trimmed bumper. The different roof rails and the new alloy wheel designs round out the exterior updates.
Open up the door and the first two changes that stand out is the new steering wheel and the center console that gets Mercedes' 7.0-inch free-standing screen for the infotainment system controlled through a touch-sensitive controller. Benz says there are also new color choices including ginger beige, espresso brown, saddle brown or porcelain, along with fresh trim options.
One of the biggest changes under the hood is the introduction of the plug-in hybrid GLE 500e 4MATIC,Mercedes' first SUV of the kind. It has the same 328hp (333PS) and 354lb ft 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and 114hp (116PS) electric motor that produce a combined 436hp (442PS) and 479lb ft or 650Nm of torque as the S500e (formerly S500 PHEV). Power is sent to all-four wheels through a 7G-tronic with the driver having the ability to change between four different modes named "Hybrid", "E-Mode", "E-Save" and "Charge".
In pure-electric "E-Mode", the GLE 500e has a driving range of around 30km (19 miles) at speeds of up to 130km/h (81mph). According to the manufacturer, the PHEV returns a combined (European) fuel economy of 3l/100km (equal to 78.4 mpg UK or 94.2 mpg US).
Other engine options include the GLE 250d with a 201hp (204PS) 2.0L four-cylinder diesel, the GLE 300d with a 255hp (258PS) V6 diesel, the GLE 400 with a 328hp (333PS) twin-turbo V6 gasoline unit, and the GLE 500 with a twin-turbo gasoline V8 producing 429hp (435PS).
At the top of the range you'll find the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8-powered GLE 63 AMG with 549hp (557PS) and GLE 63 AMG S with 577hp (585PS).
The 2016 GLE will make its first public outing at the New York Auto Show on April 1.
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