Mercedes' answer to the BMW X6

The upcoming Mercedes-Benz MLC was spotted once again by our spy photographers who were also able to snap a pic of the interior cabin.

Mercedes-Benz announced its intentions of creating a BMW X6 competitor last month at the Beijing Motor Show with the Concept Coupe SUV and a production version is already in development since this is the second batch of spy photos we share, indicating the model is not that far away and could be introduced towards the end of the year or early 2015 in Detroit at NAIAS.

Although wrapped around in a full body camouflage, the MLC clearly shows its X6-like body shape and will have a huge front grille together with massive vents and muscular side skirts. Through these spy shots we also get to see a portion of the LED taillights and have a quick look at the interior which from this angle doesn't bring any novelties.

The Mercedes-Benz MLC is expected to ride on the same platform as the M-Class from where it will also borrow the engines and since BMW has the X6 M, don't be too surprised if Mercedes-Benz will offer a flagship MLC AMG version but most likely not from day one.

Mercedes-Benz is working on a new crossover with coupe-like styling to rival BMW’s X6 and already we’ve seen a concept version in the form of the Concept Coupe SUV as well as spy shots of a prototype. The new crossover will share underpinnings with the M-Class and be built on the same line as the popular SUV at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and most are predicting it will be calledan MLC.

However, according to enthusiast site Mercedes-Benz Passion, the vehicle will be called an M-Class Coupe, with individual model names to use the ML designation. For example, the regular V-8 model would be called an ML550 Coupe and the AMG would be an ML63 AMG Coupe. This does make some sense as this is the naming convention the German automaker has adopted for coupe versions of the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class lines.

There’s also talk that Mercedes is considering launching a coupe version of its next-generation GLK-Class, so using the same naming convention the coupe version would be a GLK-Class Coupe.

We should know soon as the production version of the Concept Coupe SUV, whatever it’s called, is expected in showrooms next year. Engine options in the U.S. should include turbocharged V-6 and V-8 units and possibly a hybrid.

If you check out Mercedes-Benz' passenger car lineup, the only models that do not offer at least one AMG edition are the B-Class and V-Class minivans/MPVs and the GLK. As the brand's sportiest SUV, the upcoming MLC (the name has yet not been confirmed) could not be left without an AMG-badged version to go against the BMW X6M that's due for a replacement next year, and it is this model that our spies nabbed testing in Germany.

You can tell that there's something going on with this prototype over the regular MLC we spied in April from the more protruding front bumper with the bigger air vents, the visibly larger diameter brake discs, the side skirts and, of course, the quad tail pipes at the rear.

Expect the usual AMG treatment for the interior with body hugging seats and bespoke trims.

Under the hood, the MLC 63 AMG could use Mercedes' existing 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that delivers 577hp (585PS) and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft) of torque in its newest models like the S63 AMG Coupe, paired to standard all-wheel drive and the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed automatic transmission.

The AMG edition will likely launch after the standard MLC in the second half of 2015.

It might have been hidden behind blacked out windows in the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupé SUV, but the interior of the upcoming production version of the car that will likely bear the MLC name and go on sale in 2015, is a secret no more as our spies nabbed a few photos of the cabin with only the front door panels covered.

If the dashboard looks familiar, it's because it's almost the same as one used on the current Mercedes-Benz ML…and identical to the forthcoming ML facelift as you can see for yourself in these spy shots.

Compared to the current ML, the new dashboard gets a larger, tablet-style central infotainment screen with the latest generation of Merc's Command infotainment system that works with a trendy touch-sensitive controller positioned right in front of the central armrest. There's also a new thick rimmed, three spoke steering wheel.

The cabin is expected to be less spacious, especially in terms of headroom, than the more practical ML with which the MLC shares its underpinnings.

Engine offerings will likely mirror those of the updated ML, including the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter petrol V6 rated at 329 hp (333PS) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) paired to a 9G-TRONIC PLUS nine-speed automatic and the 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system. At the top of the range will be the MLC 63 AMG with a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing over 570 horses.