Design to mirror the Concept Coupe SUV

The Mercedes-Benz ML Coupe / MLC has been spied undergoing testing in United States ahead of next year's launch.

Mercedes-Benz's delayed answer to the BMW X6 will materialize next year with the arrival of the ML Coupe, a follow-up to the Concept Coupe SUV. The overall shape of the carwill closely mirror the X6 and Mercedes-Benz plans to attack the Bavarian competitor on all fronts as an AMG version has already been spied testing and getting ready to rival the X6 M.

Engines and platform will be sourced from the regular ML while the design will essentially be a toned down version of the aforementioned concept, sans the frameless windows along with revised bumpers, rearview mirrors and more production-spec wheels.

An official reveal could occur in January next year at NAIAS in Detroit, with sales to begin by mid-2015.

Both standard and AMG versions spotted

The Mercedes-Benz ML Coupe (MLC) has been caught on camera simultaneously in Germany around the Nürburgring and in United States in the Death Valley.

Right from the start we should mention the photos from Europe depict the AMG variant while the ones from U.S. show the standard model. You can forget about the ML's massive 690-liter cargo capacity as the "coupe" variant will offer considerably less and will also have a much narrower trunk opening. It's all due to the significantly sloped rear which will also have a negative effect on the headroom for those sitting in the back.

The legroom should remain the same taking into consideration the Concept Coupe SUV came with a 2916mm wheelbase borrowed from the regular ML, a model set to receive a facelift next year. Engine lineup will be carried over from the standard model including the 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo rated at 525 PS (386 kW) and 699 Nm (516 lb-ft) in AMG flavor.

An official reveal is expected sometime in 2015, with sales allegedly starting in the third quarter of the same year. The AMG variant will likely be unveiled a few months later and go on sale early 2016.

Mercedes are cracking on with development of the new ML-based SUV coupe and our spies were on hand to catch it on video. It was caught wearing the same black and white camoflage seen on earlier prototypes and gives a first opportunity to check out the brand new model in motion.

The final moniker is yet to be confirmed but we expect it to be either the MLC or the ML Coupe. As the name suggests, it will be based on the brand's existing M-Class platform whilst adopting a sportier sloping roofline to compete with rivals such as the BMW X6.

Engine options are likely to be inherited from its M-Class sibling and will include a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo boasting 333 PS (245 kW) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque. On the higher end of the scale, the MLC 63 AMG will get the twin-turbo V8 5.5-liter that could pump as much as 558 PS (410 kW) and 758 Nm (560 lb-ft).

Set to rival the second-gen BMW X6

A prototype of next year's Mercedes-Benz MLC / ML Coupe has been spied while undergoing testing on the Nordschleife in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz's belated answer to the BMW X6 is continuing 'Ring testing ahead of a market launch allegedly set for the third quarter of 2015. The model was already previewed by the Concept Coupe SUV but the production version is expected to carry the ML Coupe (or MLC) moniker. It will ride on the same platform as the regular ML from where it will source the engine lineup all the way up to the V8 5.5-liter twin-turbo motor in the AMG version which has already been caught on camera.

Previous spy shots have shown it will have a rather small trunk and limited rear headroom as a result of the sloping roofline which clearly mimics the BMW X6's shape. Codenamed C292, the model will be built in United States at Mercedes-Benz's Tuscaloosa, Alabama where they also make the C-Class, GL, ML and R-Class (for China). As you would expect, the ML Coupe will be more expensive than the equivalent ML, a model which will soon get a mid-cycle facelift for the 2016 model year.

AMG version also spied

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is making a comeback in a batch of very revealing spy images.

BMW better watch out as Mercedes-Benz is just about ready to come out with an X6 rival which will likely be commercialized with the "GLE Coupe" moniker. Basically a production version of the Concept Coupe SUV, the crossover will adopt a more sloped roofline compared to the ML upon which is based to create what some consider as being a sleeker look but with a significantly smaller trunk as seen in previous spy shots.

The latest batch of photos provides us with the best look so far at the GLE Coupe as only the front and rear fascias remain covered under a thin sheet of camouflage. It looks a lot sportier than the ML but given the nature of this relatively new body style, it will certainly receive a lot of criticism just like the X6.

In two of the attached photos you will also notice the AMG version featuring a peculiar orange camouflage and carrying a beefier body to match the V8 twin-turbo 5.5-liter engine from the ML 63 AMG where it develops 525 HP (386 kW).

The GLE Coupe will be manufactured in United States at Mercedes-Benz's Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory. Sales of the standard model will begin in the third quarter of 2015 while the AMG variant will probably arrive around six months later.