SPY PICS: Mercedes-Benz MLC

BMW has made a tidy profit from flogging its mould-breaking X6, and now Mercedes is keen to capture a slice of that action via its own take on a vehicle that blurs the line between SUV and coupe.

These Automedia pics of a taped-up ML 'coupe' prototype, which is likely to be called the MLC, were captured in the US state of Nevada, which suggests the vehicle was being subjected to hot-weather testing.

Although cloaked in hypnotic camouflage, it’s not too hard to discern that this test mule carries over the basic profile of the Concept Coupe SUV unveiled at the Beijing motor show earlier this year.

In addition to its steeply raked roofline, the MLC also gains a sporty beak with a thrusting grille and aggressive bumper/spoiler assembly with large air intakes.

However, the concept’s frameless windows have been binned for the production version, and likewise the design study’s front skid plate.

When he revealed the concept, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said: “The sportily styled coupe study with the added value of an SUV provides a realistic glimpse of a series-production vehicle expected next year, which will boast very dynamic handling.

“With the Concept Coupe SUV we aim to secure new customers by opening up new segments for Mercedes-Benz. We see a great deal of potential for Mercedes-Benz in the combination of coupe and SUV.”

The MLC will be built in the US alongside the ML from which it is derived, and it’s expected to go on sale next year, following its world reveal possibly at the Detroit motor show in January.

As per the ML, the new SUV line-up will comprise a range of V6 and V8 petrol and diesel engines, along with a hybrid variant and flagship MLC 63 AMG rocketship that will take the fight to the BMW X6 M.

– with Automedia